The largest construction project in Denmark's history: an artificial peninsula for 35,000 people
The housing shortage in Copenhagen has led authorities to create the artificial peninsula of Lynetteholm. By drying out shallow waters using soil from construction sites, the project aims to address the housing crisis while protecting the city from rising sea levels.
This is the largest construction project in Denmark's history. Every day, 350 trucks dump soil into what was once part of the Copenhagen port. Work began five years ago and will continue at this pace until 2050. The goal is to reclaim shallow waters to create a new urban area known as Lynetteholm.
The timeline is ambitious: construction began at the start of this decade and is set to conclude by 2070. By then, the area will feature residential buildings for 35,000 people and office space for a similar number of employees. Infrastructure will include roads, a tunnel, and a subway station, marking one of Europe's most significant examples of urban expansion into the sea.
The project was unveiled in 2018 by the Danish government and the Copenhagen municipality. It is managed by the municipal company By & Havn. The initiative aims to solve three issues: the growing housing shortage, the threat of flooding due to global warming, and the logistical challenge of disposing of soil excavated from other construction projects across the capital.
European Interest
European nations are watching the Danish project with interest. As climate change raises sea levels, countries like the Netherlands and Sweden are closely monitoring the Danish model. The project was designed to be economically viable, with the government initially planning to fund it through fees charged to developers for soil disposal. While financial projections have evolved, the estimated budget remains relatively modest at approximately 4.2 billion Danish kroner (560 million euros).
Another notable aspect is the high level of public ownership: 95% of the development company is owned by the Copenhagen municipality, with the remaining 5% held by the Danish state. The Danes believe the public sector is uniquely suited to lead such mega-projects.
Progress and Environmental Concerns
Significant progress has been made, with a seven-kilometer stone dam already outlining the future peninsula. Authorities are continuing to extend the dam to protect the city from storm surges, with the base reaching a width of 65 meters on the seabed.
The project has faced criticism from environmentalists, who argue that the engineering could release toxic substances and disrupt currents in the Øresund Strait, potentially harming the Baltic Sea's ecosystem. However, a coalition of environmental groups recently withdrew a central part of their lawsuit, marking a victory for the developers. Last month, King Frederik X of Denmark personally placed a commemorative stone on the dam to mark the completion of its route.
Despite concerns regarding coastal access and urban aesthetics, officials emphasize the project's climate-resilience goals. "First and foremost, it is a climate project," a representative from By & Havn recently told the Arte network, noting that Copenhagen sits at an average elevation of just 2.5 meters above sea level.
