The history of Køge Kyst

Cultural activities and initiatives to be the driving force behind the urban development

The urban development ideas for Søndre Havn began to take shape towards the end of the 1990s, when the local authority announced an idea competition. Many of the ideas from this competition can be seen today in the local plans that apply to the area.

In 2002, Køge Town Council decided to develop a large new commercial harbour in Køge, with the establishment of Køge Jorddepot (Soil Depot). This means that the companies currently based in Søndre Havn have the opportunity to move to new and improved facilities at the harbour to the north of the town, and that Søndre Havn can therefore be converted from a harbour industrial area into an urban development project featuring cultural attractions, residences, green areas, etc.

The expansion of the new commercial harbour will take place over the coming 8-12 years, and will thus make it possible to implement the changes in Søndre Havn over the next 20 years.

In December 2004, Køge Town Council approved an agreement for purchasing the Søndre Havn areas from Køge Havn. At that time, it was established that the urban development of the area would be carried out with full respect for existing agreements and rent contracts. Subsequently, the local plan for Køge Søndre Havn & Strand (Køge South Harbour and Beach) was approved in 2005, and in 2007 the Municipality of Køge published its "Vision plan for the Station Area and Søndre Havn", and "Culture plan for Søndre Havn and the Station Area in Køge". These are included as part of Køge Kyst's basis for the work.

In 2009, Køge has entered into an agreement with Realdania Arealudvikling concerning the development of Søndre Havn, the Collstrop Site and the Station Area.

› Find out more about Køge Harbour (in Danish)
› Find out more about Køge Jorddepot (Soil Depot) (in Danish)
› Read the "Cultural Plan for Søndre Havn and the Station Area in Køge" (in Danish)
› Read the partnership agreement (in Danish)

Partnership
The Municipality of Køge and Realdania Arealudvikling have joined forces in a partnership to work on the Køge Kyst project.

The Municipality of Køge has chosen a partnership solution so as to involve a professional partner in the urban development project - a partner that can help to ensure realisation of the desired overriding goals and qualities for the development of the new part of Køge.

The Municipality of Køge naturally retains responsibility for carrying out its usual legislatively required municipal tasks. As such, Køge Town Council will continue to have responsibility for everything to do with, for example, municipal and local planning, construction permits and environmental approvals.

For Realdania Arealudvikling, the partnership concept itself is crucial. Realdania Arealudvikling is working to create quality in urban development, and typically commits to major projects which, on account of their location, history or other factors, present exciting perspectives. Realdania Arealudvikling works with local partners and considers it essential that urban development is carried out with full consideration for the interests of the general public.

The Køge project is interesting on account of the town's major regional importance as a junction in East Zealand, combined with its proximity to Copenhagen. The urban development area also enjoys a major advantage through its location close to the station, which means that one precondition for sustainable development is already present.

› Find out more about the partnership


The future process
The new part of the town will be developed over the coming 20 years. The project will take place on the basis of an idea competition for professional players, such as architects, town planners and other professional groups, who are to provide input for the development. In addition, citizens, the business community, retailers and other stakeholders will be invited to become involved in the work, and to contribute visions, suggestions and good ideas.

› Visit the Municipality of Køge website (in Danish)
› Visit the Realdania Arealudvikling website (in Danish)
› Read the partnership agreement (in Danish)