Concluding Thoughts

PROMT:  Summarize your experiences of, and write a definition of Danish greenspace

Greenspace(n): A multi-functional area that provides people with a safe heaven away from busy city life.

The experiences with greenspace I’ve had while in Denmark have been truly incredible. However, nothing I write can truly capture the essence of Danish greenspace.  Throughout these three short weeks of class, I’ve been able to explore the diverse and wonderful greenspaces that are so unique to Copenhagen.  Before this course, I sometimes struggled to see value in parks that had obvious and visual purpose (ex. no slides or soccer fields).  A park doesn’t need to be bursting with equipment to make it usable.  I have learned more about the Danish culture by looking at and questioning the multitude of parks and their purposes than I have by walking around the streets people-watching. Diversity of parks is a wonderful thing that allows for the shaping of the Danish identity.  Greenspaces are dynamic.  They all bring something new to the table, thereby, shaping Copenhagen into the inviting, active, and nature conscious place it is today.

I’ve always been a big supporter of learning by doing.  The non-traditional field-trip style of this course has allowed me to do more than “get my feet wet” in the Danish culture.  Parks are an integral part of Danish life and by being able to experience it all first hand made it so much easier to understand and respect.  

A few key words that my class came up with to try to capture different essences of Danish greenspace are:

Accessible

Historic

Adaptive

Diverse

Egalitarian

Welcoming

Appreciated

I’m so excited to adapt the “Danish way” of living when I return home.  The greenspaces back home, I’ve realized, are often taken for granted.  The social, psychological, health, and economic benefits of greenspace is endless.  Together, they all create a matrix of interaction that is hard to find elsewhere. 

 

Egalitarianism and Elitism

PROMPT: Does the historic and elitist institution of the country house estate have a role and purpose in Denmark's egalitarian society? Explain.

The private estate that we visited today seemed somewhat out of place in in society that places so much value on egalitarianism.   Egeskov Castle has been in the same family for many generations dating back to the 1700’s.  Though some may think that a country estate doesn’t have a role and purpose in Denmark’s society, I think otherwise.  Once this estate was probably used to showcase wealth, power, and to highlight social class which, to me, is a very non-Danish thing to do.  It is clear that it is now used as a tool to educate the public about how life was a long time ago and for recreation.  In this usage, I think that it serves a really great purpose.  Actually providing the public with the opportunity to visit the historic land is quite reflective of Denmark’s egalitarianism.  

Sadly, little funding by the government goes towards privately owned estate/projects like Egeskov due to the very socialist ideology here.  The government sees it as unfair to give the elitist funding when not everyone else is getting it… though I think this is a pretty close-minded attitude.  

Egeskov Estate is such a unique place.  The owners of the castle have put in a lot of effort trying to make the castle appeal to tourists; a major source of income for them.  Visitors are encouraged to take a peek inside the castle, visit the many gardens, see the old car and airplane collections, eat at the cafes, and play in the many parks.  This is a place appeals to all age groups and has a variety of attractions that peak the interests of many different visitors.  Because it is privately owned, the family can really put their own twist on how they want to run the property—there is very little, if any, government involvement.  If owned by the government the property would lose some of its intimacy and uniqueness that come with being run by a family. 

Estates like Egeskov provide so many positive benefits to society and the people visiting despite a surrounding egalitarian attitude.  As long as these estates stay accessible and are used to showcase pieces of history, estates like Egeskov definitely belong in Denmark. 

Danish v.s US National Parks

PROMPT: Contrast today's experiences of a Danish National Park with America's National Parks in general, or specifically with one that you have visited.

Denmark is now home to 4 national parks.  Today we visited Denmark’s 4^th largest forest, Gribskov.  The forest is owned and administered by the State of Denmark and is designated as a Eueopean Union habitat directive.  Gribskov isn’t a national park quite yet.  Upon arrival, we learned about the Nature Agency’s initiatives and efforts to establish Gribskov as national park.  For over 10 years, this topic has brought great debate, conflict and opposition by private parties.

Some of the parks that I’ve been lucky enough to visit are, the Virgin Islands National Park, Glacier Bay, Banff National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Gribskov park 

Cows enjoying the grass at Gribskov.

My experiences today helped me realize key differences between US national park and Danish ones.  To begin with, Denmark doesn’t have nearly as many national parks as the US does.  The United States has 59 national parks while Denmark has 4 and is currently working to get a 5^th.  The lack of diverse and intense topography such as mountains, which are easier to be kept in their natural state, make Denmark pressed for biodiversity.  As previously discussed, Denmark is making serious efforts toward increasing its greenspaces and biodiversity.  The diverse topography in the United States creates very extreme differences between all national parks (including plants, animals, climate, and geography).

A small dock on a beautiful lake next to Gribskov. 

Parks in the US are operated by the National Park Service, which means that they are closely monitored and protected from activities that may prove to be disruptive to the park.  After seeing how people oriented Danish parks were, I realized that US national parks don’t have a cozy or personable feel to them like the Danish parks do.  The endless amount of restrictions in the US give the parks a “look don’t touch” feel to them.  Dissimilarly, Danish national parks encourage interaction and involvement between the land and the people.  Danish national parks cater to the people.  A wide variety of recreational activities are supported by the parks in Denmark such as fishing, having a BBQ, or motor-biking.  Our tour guide explained how they invite people who use the horseback riding trails to come in and help decide how the riding paths should be laid out. The parks in Denmark also offer programming for anyone who wants to show up, free of charge.  The park services here in Denmark are so open to working with the people and definitely encourage participation.  Lastly, the forests in Denmark serve as a resource of timber.  There are strict deforestation regulations in US national parks. 

It’s really incredible to see flourishing national parks in Denmark so close to a major city.  Gribskov is another great example of the intimate interplay between urban life and greenspaces.

Danish Reforestation

PROMPT: Why has so much valuable land close to Copenhagen been given over to forest?

Valuable land that surrounds Copenhagen has been given over to reforestation efforts in an effort to increase the amount of forests in Denmark.  Naturally, Denmark is not endowed with bountiful forests.  In the 1800’s, massive deforestation put Denmark’s percentage of total forest converge at a mere 3%.  Since this immense loss, there have been huge steps toward increasing the total amount of forests in Denmark and trying to reverse the negative impacts mankind has had throughout history by creating more natural space. 

The main push for these reforestation projects was The Danish Forest Act of 2004.  This act outlines three goals aiming to: conserve and protect Danish forests, increase forest area, and promote sustainable forest management in terms of ecological, economic, and social value.  Today, 12.4% of the country is covered in forests.  Though, most, if not all forests are managed; few are untouched.  The forests in Denmark are a part of a managed ecosystem, which includes maintenance of trees but also ponds, bogs, and the biodiversity. 

The forests of Denmark are more than just a tool to help prevent dune creep.  They help make a biodiverse landscape and provide a great habitat as well.  Today when we visited Hareskoven we saw a wide variety of different trees, flowers, and water-plant life. 

Forests help improve air quality by capturing carbon dioxide and removing it from the air we breathe.  Clean air is crucial for a city that is so devoted to sustainability.  

In terms of societal values, forests provide a shady setting for recreational use such as trails for walking.  A beautiful lake next to the forest was busy with people boating, fishing, and walking their dogs.  Both clean air and recreation are important for maintaining good health. 

Catching tonight's dinner. 

A relaxing boat ride on the lake and the Danish flag flapping in the breeze. 

Forests also provide great aesthetics, which is of great value for people who want to get out into nature and escape the busy Copenhagen life (similarly to greenspaces in Copenhagen).  People can stay close to the city while immersing themselves in a landscape other than those offered by a city park.  Lastly, the economic benefit of forests is the production of timber, which is a vital resource.  Companies who do this are a major source of funding for the forests in Denmark.  Harvesting is selective and carefully monitored. 

What is left from an old house that burnt down. 

Forests have become an integral part of daily life because of their close proximity and accessibility to Copenhagen and they have much more to offer than just a sanctuary for the diverse array of animal and plant life.  

The Danish Golden Age

PROMPT: Describe the Danish Golden Age of painting and explain how the artists and their work helped shape the perception of the Danish landscape.

Today we visited the Hirschsprung Collection, which featured paintings from the Golden Age of Denmark. The contributions of artists and their works during this specific time period helped shape the perception of the Danish landscape and also helped bring a sense of national pride for one of the first times. 

Through these pieces, the Danes could derive their identity from the landscapes.  In the early Golden Age of painting in Denmark, idealistic portrayals of reality were seen through colorful, near-perfect aesthetics.  Little evidence of the painters’ brushstrokes could be seen. Some painters would “perfect” the landscape by slightly altering the painting to be more appealing to the eye.  In the early Golden Age, nature was depicted as a sublime and glorious force.  The dramatization of the landscapes during this time can be attributed to the crisis Denmark was in.  During the early to middle 1800’s, Denmark was constantly losing land to surrounding nations and was dealing with national bankruptcy.  The paintings gave the Danish people a way to escape the present problems, while creating an association between the landscapes, optimism, and history.  The grandiose paintings helped instill a feeling of national pride and identity by showing off the natural beauty that Denmark still had despite major national issues. 

As the Golden Age continued, artists began to demonstrate impressionistic techniques in their artwork.  Many artists studied abroad in France and began learning the impressionist style.  They then brought it back to Denmark.  Not only was there a shift in technique (ex. larger more visible brush strokes) but there was a major focus change in the paintings itself.  There was an obvious shift away from painting only idealistic nature to beginning to incorporate humans and realistic daily activities in the paintings. The scenery was less dramatic and depicted the mood of the subject in the painting. Nature was still a major aspect of these later Golden Age pieces but it served as more of a vehicle for showing other things happening such as recreation, self-reflection, or even non-visual psychological pain (demonstrated through symbolism). 

Autumn Landscape by J. Th Lundbye in 1847.
Source http://www.hirschsprung.dk/Image.aspx?id=13&col=5 

In the above picture, the large hill in the center of the piece is a burial mound.  Artists from Denmark were beginning to become heavily influenced by the evolving archaeological field.  This artist incorporated history and the newfound interest of discovery below earth into his painting. 

An example of a painting where symbolism is being used.  This  portrays a blind lady grieving over the loss of her husband. 

A piece using the impressionist style.  This piece was also social commentary about gender roles. The boys are able to run freely naked into the water while the younger girl needs to wait on the shore.

Public v.s Private Greenspace

PROMPT: Based on your experiences, describe the different identities of Copenhagen's public and private greenspaces. 

When looking at private and public green spaces in Copenhagen, it is hard not to mentally categorize them into different categories- public parks and private gardens.  Though, this isn’t the case with every space that we have visited. As we have seen, public parks come in many forms.  Many aren’t even green at all. Private greenspaces, from what we have mostly seen, take the form of gardens.

Each greenspace, whether private or public, has their benefits and negative aspects.  The difference in who is able to access private and public parks is dramatically different.  Public parks are for everyone who chooses to visit while private parks are quite selective.  The high prices and demand for a small plot of land greatly decreases the amount of people who are actually eligible to own a small private garden.  Owning or even gaining access to a private park or garden is extremely difficult and restrictive for those with a lower economic status.  The non-restrictive nature of a public park helps build a sense of community.  People can come together to socialize and collectively enjoy nature.  Private parks also offer socialization but on a much more selective level. The owner must personally invite people they want to come enjoy their private greenspace.  

My class enjoying a cute private garden.  

The size difference between private and public parks is quite dramatic as well.  Public parks, like Ørstedsparken are quite large while private gardens in De Runde Haver are extremely limited in size.  Size dictates the types of activities one can participate in.  Large public parks offer more amenities because they are simply just larger. 

Each plot in De Runde Haver is separated by round hedges. 

Private gardens are typically taken care of very carefully by the owner.  A lot of care is given to one’s private park or garden to make it feel more homely and to give it a unique touch.  There is a major sense of personal ownership and responsibility for the upkeep of a personal plot of land.  Given that there is a long waiting list for a private garden, one can imagine that the owners are very proud of their plot.  This personal responsibility is absent in public greenspaces.  Public greenspaces are much more likely to be vandalized and polluted because there is a lack of restriction and less frequent maintenance. 

A different type of private garden than De Runde Haver.  This small shed was really well kept and tidy both on the inside and out.

A vandalized children play boat. This is in the public park, Østre Anlæg.

Despite these differences, private and public greenspaces share common functions like recreation, relaxation, education, and socialization. 

Coastal Greenspace

PROMPT: How has and does Denmark’s coastscape shaped life and identity in Denmark?

The Danes have always had a strong connection to the sea.  Being located between the Baltic and North Sea, coastal life and the sea have always had a strong influence on Danish lifestyle and culture.  As time passes it is clear that the role of Denmark’s coastscape in shaping the country’s identity is changing. Though, some functions of Denmark’s coastal regions have remained the same for hundreds of years.

We learned a bit about the budding relationship of the sea and Denmark at Lejre.  Because of Denmark unique location surrounded by so much water, the sea was a major means of travel.  Travel, in the Viking era, was important for conquering new land and expansion but also trade.  The early Danes lived in a very mobile society.

When visiting Gilleleje, it was obvious that a major way coastscape has influenced Denmark is through its massive fishing industry.  Fish is a staple food of the Danish diet and many people still rely on the industry’s success to make a living. The water was full of fishing boats and there were many fresh fish markets. Though currently the fishing industry is in decline, at its peak, coastal areas would have attracted many people (for employment reasons). 

As time went on, Danes realized it would be a nice idea to live close to the coast where they could relax away from the city and be close to an area, which could provide a good source of food, and employment.  Also city dwellers began to purchase plots of land in the forests close to the coasts. Similar to the US, owning a summer home got to be quite expensive.  Now, summer homes in Gilleleje are sold more commonly to the upper class. The fishing industry, though declining, is still important on a local, national, and global level. 

Lastly, one of the newest ways coastal regions have helped influence Denmarks identity is through tourism.  Not only do the summer houses draw in people from all over the country and world, but people are opening their eyes up to the other great aspects of a small coastal town.  People are also learning that there is more than just a pretty scene and the fishing industry.  Coastal towns (especially Gilleleje) are full of history.  During WWII, fishing boats played a crucial role in saving the Jews of Denmark.  If it weren’t for the fishermen bringing them to Sweden, Danish Jews might not have been as fortunate.  

Without the immense influence of coastalspace on the Danish people, Denmark wouldn’t be what it is today.  Though fishing, summer homes, and tourism are three very different ways in which coastalspace influences Denmark, all three make for a very lively and unique coastal town, like Gilleleje

Historic vs. Contemporary Parks

PROMPT: Compare and contrast one of Copenhagen's contemporary public parks with one of its historic ones

In Superkilen, color helps define purpose. Everything in the first section is painted red and helps facilitate recreational sports and exercise.  An example is the metal workout equipment and boxing ring in this section. As you continue on to the “Black market” section, you can tell that this area is for gatherings and socialization.  They have tables to play games on and many benches.  The “green park” section comes last.  This section best emulates what we think of as a traditional park.  It is grassy with swings and is a little less chaotic than the other two colored sections. However, it is still unique.

When comparing this contemporary park with more historic parks, there are quite a few differences and few similarities.  Østre Anlæg, a park visited last week, is beautiful and lush with a classic design.  Superkilen is on the opposite side of the spectrum.  There is nothing classic about Superkilen other than the few awkwardly placed trees in the middle of the rubber floor and some grass in the green section.  Unlike Superkilen, people don’t question the meaning or purpose of Østre Anlæg because it is very similar to our idea of what a park is supposed to be.  Superkilen is designed to be extremely busy with children playing and utilizing all of the space. It doesn’t feel as calm or peaceful as Østre Anlæg which is riddled with hidden pathways and secluded benches.  Østre Anlæg is not designed to be packed with people. This would take away from the quiet, more secretive environment that is so special to that park. Though Østre Anlæg has playground sections too, they are way more predictable than the crazy and random layout of Superkilen.  One last major difference between the two parks is the age group that each serves.  Østre Anlæg can appeal to any age group because of the variety of amenities the park has to offer (ex. bird watching for the elderly and playing ball for the children). Superkilen only seems to appeal to children and possibly young adults.

 

Østre Anlæg park. 

Østre Anlæg focuses on showing natural beauty by highlighting vibrant flowers, a large body of water, thick bunches of trees, and diverse wildlife.  On the other hand, Superkilen is very in-your-face, unpredictable, colorful, and a very appealing place to let loose and have fun.