Danish Greenspace: Private Greenspace

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.