SUMMARY Urban Renewal in Denmark

In Denmark, the Urban Renewal Act and the physical planning system are supplementing each other. The planning system involves planning at three administrative levels: national, counties, and municipalities. An overall national plan has yet to be implemented. A superior physical planning has therefore been initiated by the Regional Planning Act, and all regional plans were approved of in 1982 and 1983. Urban renewal is not covered by the regional plans. Amendments to the Act have been elaborated to the effect that regional plans outlining the extent and localization of urban renewal are to be worked out 1983-84.

Following approval of the regional plans, the municipalities formulate their plans. For the metropolitan area half of the municipalities have finished their work and the municipal plans were approved by the end of 1982. The rest of the nation is still in the planning phase. Before implementing significant changes, even for a minor area, the municipalities have to plan for small areas.

Urban renewal planning comprises a physical plan, an action programme, and an economic scheme. Within this frame the State exerts influence by making the regulations for housing policy, financial support, and economic possibilities, whereas the counties have little influence. The vital influence lies with the municipalities.

By local planning, public hearings, sequence plans, financial plans, and economic support in cooperation with owners and building firms, municipalities are greatly involed in solving urban renewal problems.