In addition, three Copenhagen-based architects give their visions for the city in interviews. Stories on larger developments such as the revitalisation of the harbour area or the cycling infrastructure complete the project overview and provide insight into the topics for which Copenhagen stands. The book is divided into four chapters: Public spaces, Sports and leisure, Culture and education, and Housing. It presents a selection of more than 25 buildings and public places that have been created over the past ten years (this is probably the reason why for example Sønder Boulevard - finished in 2007 - wasn't included). The book København - Urban Architecture and Public Spaces, shows Copenhagen's quality of life by looking at the built environment.

Together with creating people-friendly squares, parks and buildings the city life has increased enormously in Copenhagen. The Danish capital took over this philosophy by - for example - restructuring its street network, removing driving lanes and parking places to create better and safer conditions for pedestrians and cyclists (see also the article Bicycle Urbanism). And trying to develop a lively, safe, sustainable and healthy city. Inviting people to walk, cycle and stay and encouraging people to join in the common life of the city. His plea focuses on reclaiming the city space as a meeting place and social forum. Exactly according to the philosophy of Jan Gehl, the Danish architect, former director of Gehl Architects, and former professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts who wrote the must-read Cities for People (2010) and did a lot of projects and public life studies in Copenhagen. With a high priority on public space, slow traffic, mixed-use urban areas and interrelation between the different aspects of the built environment. Long ago, the city made the switch from a modern planning ideology with individual buildings, formal and dull public spaces, and car-centric infrastructure to an urban planning based on a more human dimension. This is largely due to the focus on the human scale in every design. The capital of Denmark is maybe small in demographic terms (632.000 residents) and surface (86,4 square kilometres), but great in terms of urbanism. A new book about these projects was recently published. Over the past couple of years a range of public buildings and spaces, infrastructure and entire quarters have been developed whose architecture and urban planning are in many aspects inspirational and exemplary. Copenhagen is considered to be one of Europe's leading cities in regards to quality of life and sustainability.

Jan gehl new city life