Byen Danmark

The Royal Danish Academy - Urbanism & Societal Change invites to an open lecture by Tom Nielsen, author of the book 'Byen Danmark', that provides an in-depth description of how cities in Denmark have developed from the middle of the 19th century until today. 

Tom Nielsen, professor at the Aarhus Architecture School, will lecture on his recently released book: Byen Danmark. The publication provides an in-depth description of how cities in Denmark have developed from the middle of the 19th century until today. The book's thorough review of the development history of different types of cities gives the reader an understanding of why Danish cities look and function the way they do in our time.

"When I observe the public debate on urban development, there is a very simplified understanding of what a city is. What is called a city is understood to mean a big city. The country is so different, but the truth is that 90% of Danes live in cities. There are many different types of cities, but we have forgotten that in our language and thus also in the debate", says Tom Nielsen. "When the debate takes place on simplistic terms, the reactions also become blurred. If you want to restore a balanced Denmark, you cannot work with generalized policies, but must understand the different types of cities and what strengths and challenges they have. We simply need a better understanding of the subject than we have now if we are to take up the debate.”