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Thrive Zone Amager

Exploring ways to minimize exposure to air pollution in Copenhagen

Sector

Health Equity

Region

Europe

Timespan

2021

The Amager ‘Buslet’ challenged current bus stop design by aiming to provide better protection against extreme weather and local air pollution, as well as more inviting waiting spaces set back from traffic lanes to encourage social interaction. Credit: Gehl

Thrive Zone Amager looked at how urban design can help tackle air pollution at the places people frequent everyday. Utalising Gehl’s expertise in multi-data source analysis, including survey, social media, and Google Air data, the team identified key locations and developed pilot installations that reduced exposure to hyperlocal air pollution whilst improving the public space offer.

The dome at Prismehaven became a weekly meeting place for local residents, and provided a protected oasis away from the windy microclimate in Ørestad, Amager. In addition, the polycarbonate dome and its plants were able to reduce Ultra Fine Particle levels by 12%. Credit: Joakim Züger
The installation taught us that colourful furniture attracts all ages, and the sandpit with integrated seating allowed parents to comfortably sit and socially interact while watching their children play. The vegetation barrier also created an increased sense of security from traffic and improved acoustic conditions for conversations near the road. Credit: Joakim Züger

Urban design affects everyday health

In 2022, 96% of the European urban population was exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter above the health-based guideline level set by the World Health Organization. The Thrive Zone Amager project, in Copenhagen, addressed exposure to air pollutants through temporary pilot installations that both protect people from pollutants and create a more attractive public space offer.

Gehl’s analysis combined survey data, social media data, and Google air data to identify local conditions and frequented places to decide the locations of pilot interventions. The project specifically looked at the behaviour of hyperlocal pollutants including Ultra Fine Particles, Black Carbon, and PM2.5-PM10 particles emitted from passing vehicles and local commercial activities.

At three locations, pilots were built and tested. The pilots have provide a more nuanced understanding of the green pollution buffers highlighted in Gehl’s 2019 Thrive Zone work, and have identified new knowledge (and gaps in knowledge) around wind, particle distribution, non-permeable barriers, and measurable differences between different types of vegetation barriers.

In 2024, two of the pilot installations are still in use, one donated to a city garden, and another adopted permanently at its original location in Ørestad, Copenhagen.

In addition to reducing air pollution levels, the green wall and seating/play installation at Det Grønne Kilde, Havnestaden became a popular meeting place for locals and residents in the area. The small pilot attracted more public life to the park than the rest of the park combined, despite its close proximity to the traffic on the main road. Credit: Gehl
Jeff Risom, Partner Louise Vogel Kielgast, Portfolio Director of Urban Health Kym Lansell, Project Manager Martin Nelson, Technical Designer
Local residents visit the temporary installations and taste the edible plants in the gardens, whilst they wait for their sustainable, healthy snack from the visiting food truck. Credit: Gehl

Encouraging healthy, sustainable food behaviours in Copenhagen

  • Place Activation
  • Community Engagement
  • Social Spatial Research
The river lies right on the city’s doorstep and offers a relaxing respite from the urban hustle and bustle, yet it is often difficult for all users to access. Credit: Gehl

Revitalizing and connecting Melbourne’s city centre to its riverfront

  • Place Activation
  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Strategy
Gehl supported in positioning our client in becoming an open and collaborative leader on urban resilience, women and climate action in the Global South. Credit: Expo City Dubai

Conceptualising the first sustainable cities forum dedicated to the MEASA region

  • Place Activation
  • Community Engagement
  • Urban Strategy
Broadway at Times Square in 2009, after Gehl worked with the City of New York and the Department of Transport on a major urban realm and bicycle strategy. Credit: Department of Transport (DOT)

Redefining New York City’s relationship with its streets

  • Place Activation
  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Strategy
Credit: Van Leer Foundation

Advocating for child-friendly cities globally

  • Community Engagement
  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Strategy
Credit: Youth Design Center

Engaging the next generation of public space designers

  • Community Engagement
  • Social Spatial Research

‘People-first’ includes you

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