28 km light rail will connect 8 capital municipalities and create a basis for urban development.

Urban Development & Mobility

Greater Copenhagen Light Rail, Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark

Visualisation

Gottlieb Paludan Architects is the lead consultant responsible for the design of 29 stations and the surrounding urban spaces and landscapes for the upcoming Copenhagen light rail between Ishøj and Lundtofte.

The light rail will run from Ishøj in the south to Lundtofte in the north, connecting Copenhagen's suburban municipalities more closely across the existing S-train lines.

New transport needs have emerged since the Finger Plan in 1947 presented a plan for the development of the metropolitan area. Therefore, 11 Copenhagen municipalities, the Capital Region, and the state, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Building, have joined forces to establish a light rail on Ring 3.

Client
Greater Copenhagen Light Rail
Status
Project
Size
28 km, 29 stations
Year
2025
Collaborators
LYTT Architecture, COWI, Kontrapunkt
Areas of Expertise

Visualisation. When the light rail is ready in 2025, it will run between Lyngby and Ishøj, connecting six S-train lines across the capital.

We have worked with full-scale models to test the design along the way.

It is expected that the light rail will have 13-14 million passengers annually. This number is expected to rise to 17-18 million as the urban development areas along the light rail are expanded.

Visualisation

Visualisation

New transport hubs with optimal transfers between modes of transport

Glostrup, Lyngby, Buddinge, Herlev, Vallensbæk, and Ishøj will become new major transport hubs for light rail, buses, and regional and S-trains. In addition to project management, Gottlieb Paludan Architects is also responsible for the architectural tasks, including the adaptation of the affected stations, optimization of transfers between different modes of transport, Control and Maintenance Center, and other structures, as well as input to the EIA report on the project.

Together we create cohesion

Challenge

The goal and challenge of the Greater Copenhagen Light Rail is to create a cohesive public infrastructure that creates new connections in the metropolitan area while harmoniously integrating into a specific local context.

Method

To create a cohesive identity and optimal user-friendliness along the light rail's 29 stations, Gottlieb Paludan Architects has worked with an integrated design solution that spans from overall traffic flow to the design of individual furniture. We have worked with full-scale models to test the design along the way.

Impact

The project's focus is on passengers, for whom the light rail should be an attractive alternative to the car. The light rail is central to the development plans in the municipalities along the route and will enhance public transport throughout the Capital Region when it is ready in 2025.

Visualisation

Visualisation

Gottlieb Paludan Architects has designed platforms and furniture for the light rail's 29 stations

As part of the design of the upcoming Greater Copenhagen Light Rail, Gottlieb Paludan Architects has undertaken several design tasks, including the design of furniture and platforms. The platforms are primarily designed in a uniform, recognizable, and distinctive design with the possibility of local adaptation in extent and fitting.
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Specialist Knowledge

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Our cities and landscapes must accommodate a wide range of functions, interests, and concerns – from urban development and infrastructure to nature conservation and climate adaptation. This places high demands on the prioritization, planning, and siting of new developments and structures. Urban and landscape analyses provide a comprehensive overview of physical, regulatory, and contextual conditions and form a critical basis for decision-making in the early project stages.

Udforsk

Everyone should be able to move through our shared public spaces and buildings in a safe and dignified way. In complex environments such as stations, terminals, and other public transport hubs, universal design is not just a feature – it’s a fundamental design principle that ensures equal access and high functionality for all, regardless of physical or cognitive ability.

Udforsk

Technical and infrastructural developments leave a significant mark on both urban and rural landscapes. Before projects of this scale can be realised, authorities often require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – an evaluation of the development’s impact on the environment. Visual and spatial assessments are central to this process and form an important foundation for ensuring that new developments are placed and integrated harmoniously into their surroundings.

Udforsk

Urban Development & Mobility

Cities are in constant transformation. We develop solutions that promote connectivity, mobility and quality of life – creating value across urban spaces, infrastructure and local communities.
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Do you want to learn more about Greater Copenhagen Light Rail, Copenhagen, Denmark?

Sara Wille-Garvin

Head of Urban Development & Mobility, DGNB ConsultantUrban Planner, Architect MAA