Planning should begin now if our towns are to be able to meet the challenges of the future in a sustainable way in 5, 10 or 15 years from now.
Sustainability should be planned The way we plan our towns plays a decisive role in determining how our daily lives are led, how our businesses grow, and the affect we have on the environment.
In Denmark the Planning Act establishes the framework for how local authorities can plan the development of towns. This is the foundation on which general recommendations are based concerning transport, urban planning and environmental considerations ensuring that these three areas all work together.
Many people commute to and from work across municipality borders, so planning should accommodate this. The Ministry of the Environment has set up dialogue projects in eastern Jutland and on Zealand. Here, the state, the municipality and private citizens work together to find sustainable solutions which will give us accessible, compact and vibrant towns.
Future-orientated towns In coming years, our towns will face a series of new challenges. Climate change is probably the biggest challenge which will mean increased precipitation and higher temperatures. Therefore towns should plan for the future. In 2009, the Danish Ministry of the Environment will present its vision for the sustainable town of the future.
The modern, sustainable town is compact but with space for green and blue oases. It is a healthy town with clean air, water and soil, with good opportunities for exercise and safe roads for both pedestrians and cyclists. It is a town that has adapted to climate change.
A glimpse of this future can be seen in Nykøbing Falster where a new suburb – Slotsbryggen – demonstrates how it is possible to build close to the town centre yet offer green areas and views overlooking the water. There is room to move about there – for cyclists, pedestrians, sailors, café- and cinema-goers. All within a relatively compact area with buildings of between 3-6 storeys in height.