ABSTRACT
In earlier times Copenhagen1 developed along much the same lines as Berlin and Stockholm, with a medieval core to which new planned districts were added during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with rectilinear street networks (figure 10.1).2 But unlike Berlin and Stockholm, Copenhagen retained its defensive function into the nineteenth century. This meant not only that the town was enclosed by a system of defences, but also that the only buildings permitted in a broad area outside the ramparts were simple half-timbered houses. Nor were any suburbs of any size built beyond the demarcation line which defined the pro-hibited area, as in Vienna. As Rasmussen puts it: ‘With a steadily growing population the only way the town could expand was by building higher and more densely, so that it became more and more overcrowded and cramped.'3 During the first half of the nineteenth century, however, population growth was moderate; the number of inhabitants rose from a little over 100,000 in 1800 to about 120,000 in 1840. From then on, growth was more rapid; in 1870 the figure was 181,000 and at the beginning of the next century just under 360,000.4
In the 1840s land was granted beyond the ramparts for a pleasure-ground, the nucleus of Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli. Apart from this the prohibition against building was maintained until 1852, when the demarcation line was moved in to the Søerne (the Lakes). The area that was thus released was already largely in private ownership, and following the repeal of the prohibition landowners were able to make big profits. Over the next few decades speculative building led to a ring of suburbs (Broerne, literally the Bridges) beyond the Lakes.5 An attempt at public control came too late; when a plan was finally approved in 1857, most of the streets were already in existence.6 The web of streets between the old exit roads still has an unorganized look about it. There were no attempts at all at any monumental building. This unplanned exploitation came to consist mainly of industrial premises and worker’s housing.
