Public vs. Private Parks

Based on your experiences, describe the different identities of Copenhagen’s public and private greenspaces.

Copenhagen is home to a wide array of parks, from private to public and historic to contemporary. Each park has its own identity and style, but together they all contribute to the overall culture and identity of Copenhagen as a city. The public and private parts are very different from one another, at least in their identities.

View from Kastellet Park.

Public greenspaces, like Kastellet and Frederiksberg Park, are open to everyone to enjoy and, usually, at no cost. The public greenspaces also have many functions; some of them include: picnics, a look back at history, a place to view nature, meeting places, dates and areas to de-stress. Because of the variety of functions, there is a place for everyone to find something they enjoy. Public greenspaces allow everyone, from any walk of life, and any financial level to enjoy the same parks in the same way, promoting equality. With public greenspace also come the potential for vandalism due to the inability to monitor who is in the park at all times. The public parks main function is to allow all people to enjoy the space in any respectful way they would like to.

A garden in De Runde Haver.

Another plot from De Runde Haver.

Private greenspaces, however, do not do this. Private greenspaces are usually small than public parks and require a sum of money to acquire. Private gardens such as, Kolonihave and De Runde Haver, have years long waiting lists, and can cost a few million kroner to buy. Private greenspaces are exclusive to those who own them and whomever they choose to invite along with them. Because a private greenspace costs a great deal more than a public greenspace, it has many perks including an area to call your own, and a space for the owner to do whatever they would like. The identity of the private gardens is a place for owners to come and relax in their own space and where many people plant their own gardens. 

Superkilen

Contemporary greenspaces are typically public parks and have been constructed in the past few years. Contemporary greenspaces, including Superkilen, are areas that have a modern style. Superkilen is mostly concrete and provides a unique experience through its physical appearance while providing a space for all people to enjoy themselves. In addition to contemporary greenspaces, historical greenspaces are typically public as well. Kastellet is a public greenspace that used to be a military fortress, and thus a historic greenspace. Currently it is a public space that displays a portion of Copenhagen’s history while also providing a space for the enjoyment of nature. The identity and culture that both of these parks evoke makes use of different types of land and makes maximizes the potential use for the entire public.

Street Art in Mimmersparken.