When
I reflect back on the many places we have visited, some public and some
private, I seem to group green spaces into two categories—public parks and
private gardens. This cannot be applied to every site we have seen. Generally,
public greenspace is so varied that it is hard to assign it a specific
identity. For example, public parks do indeed contain many sectioned off garden
areas, while other public greenspaces are not parks at all, but rather museums
or historical landmarks. However, generally I have found the private greenspace
to be much less variable, mostly consisting of private gardens.
One
of the most interesting features of Copenhagen’s private greenspace, more
specifically private gardens, is the extent to which they vary—from the produce
they grow, to their shapes, sizes and content. The other day, we visited
Frederiksberg Kolonihave. The best way to describe this landmark is to say that
it is a conglomeration of small, private gardens in the center of the city.
This site takes the word “private” to another level. Tall hedges separate every
garden, and stepping into each plot is like effectively cutting yourself off
from the rest of the world. It was clear from just the few moments we spent
inside the garden walls, that it was an experience to be treasured, a truly
private, lush experience.
Today, we visited De
Runde Haver. Like Frederiksberg Kolonihave, this site was composed of various
gardens. However, there were so many features that set these two landmarks
apart. Firstly, De Runde Haver is set in a suburban area of Copenhagen. Both
the entrance and outside streets surrounding the garden are non-commercial
private areas. Therefore, while the hedges are not nearly as high as De Runde
Haver, there is a natural level of privacy provided. Additionally, one of the
most striking features of this garden was its design. Each hedge surrounding
individual plots of land was perfectly circular. From a bird’s eye view, the
garden appears to be a large rectangle, filled with small, colorful circles.
Despite their
differences, De Runde Haver and Frederiksberg Kolonihave represent an elite, privileged
sector of private greenspace. These spaces are used for much more than simply
growing produce, but can also be viewed as relaxing, peaceful, private settings.
It is important to note that in many other parts of Copenhagen, seen even in a
plot just down the street from De Runde Haver, private greenspace simply exists
as small plots of land with no lush houses, greenhouses, or even garden sheds
to keep supplies in. In so many of these private areas, plots are used not for
growing aesthetic flowers, but for growing produce. For this reason, it is
nearly impossible to assign a single identity to private or public greenspace.
These examples are just some of the many sites that demonstrate how and why
Copenhagen’s greenspace is both varied and unique.
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| Hedge at the entrance of a garden in De Runde Haver |
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| Small private garden down the street from De Runde Haver-- the gardens are not as "elite", and are primarily used to grow produce. |
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| Side view of De Runde Haver Hedges |
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| Ruse growing on the outside of a private garden shed in De Runde Haver |
