Mapping Density and Distribution of Urban Spaces in the City of Copenhagen

This paper presents a study of urban density in the City of Copenhagen based on indicators of urban form,
land use, socio-economic factors, and activity. Through the analysis of those indicators, this study proposes
urban policy recommendations based on liveability targets set by the City of Copenhagen. The City of
Copenhagen has, in the past decade, produced the “Urban Life Account” (2010 – 2019), which aims to
measure and evaluate the quality of urban life in the city and the level of satisfaction with public spaces
amongst its citizens. This paper evaluates the scale, distribution and resulting accessibility of urban spaces
and green spaces in the City of Copenhagen in the context of the population growth in the last three
decades. Through the analysis of built density and geospatial socio-economic data and data on use of
urban spaces and amenities collected from digital platforms (Google Places, TripAdvisor, Flickr, and
Airbnb), this study reveals significant differences in access to urban spaces and green areas and an overall
pattern of centrality in density and activity intensity (measured through indirect indicators from online
platforms).