BIG’s Quirky Kilometer Long Superkilen Park Celebrates Diversity in Copenhagen

The <a href="http://big.dk/#projects-suk" target="_blank">Superkilen</a> urban park just has opened in Copenhagen, and its full of quirky surprises from all around the world. Located in the diverse Nørrebro neighborhood, the kilometer long park is surrounded by residents from over 60 nations. Filled with play areas, recreation, bike lanes, seating and art, Superkilen is a reflection of this diversity with over 100 pieces of "urban furniture" sourced from around the globe to remind people of home. The park was designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/big" target="_blank">BIG</a>, in cooperation with landscape architects <a href="http://www.topotek1.de/" target="_blank">Topotek1</a> and artist collective <a href="http://superflex.net/" target="_blank">Superflex</a>, with the hopes of revitalizing the area and bringing more people together.

Superkilen Park is a long 1-km urban space in the Nørrebro neighborhood on the northwest side of the city and was designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/big" target="_blank">BIG</a>, <a href="http://www.topotek1.de/" target="_blank">Topotek1</a>, and <a href="http://superflex.net/" target="_blank">Superflex</a>.

The park features 3 distinct areas: the bright Red Square, the manicured Black Square and the large and leisurely Green lawn.

Bike lanes meander throughout the park and there are places for basketball and football games, cultural activities, playgrounds, picnics, socializing and relaxing.

The project's goal was to create a unifying space for a very diverse neighborhood.

Rather than try to make the space Danish or cater to satisfy the needs of specific groups, the design team decided to reference ever group represented.

Public participation was the driving force behind the design and residents submitted suggestions and ideas to help with the final outcome.

Objects that reflect or represent certain countries stand proudly within the park.

For example, the park includes a fountain made with Moroccan tiles, Chinese palms, swings from Baghdad, neon signs from Qatar and Russia, Parisian manhole covers, and much more.

Superflex even organized groups of people to travel home to their native countries to source items to be included in the park.

BIG, Superflex and Topotek1 won the award to design the park in 2011 and it was recently completed for 13.4 million euro for the City of Copenhagen and the Realdania Foundation.

The hope is that the new urban space will forge a global identity, bring people together and help revitalize the neighborhood.

Superkilen masterplan.

Layout of the park along with location of objects from different nations.