From waste to adventure. How a power plant became a sports roof
Cities are under pressure. We seek space for housing, sports, greening and leisure. At the same time, we have to deal with industry, energy supply and waste disposal - all necessary but not always beloved in the cityscape. In Copenhagen, they show that these two worlds need not bite each other. Indeed, on top of a power plant they made space for sports, nature and relaxation. Literally. On the roof.
CopenHill, officially Amager Bakke, is the world's leading example of how to make multifunctional use of roofs. What began as a technical solution to the city's energy needs grew into an icon of how urban space and social impact go hand in hand.
Why CopenHill was built
Copenhagen has a clear ambition: the city wants to become one of the world's first carbon-neutral capitals. That means being smart about energy, waste and space. Amager Bakke plays an important role in this. The power plant processes over 400,000 tonnes of waste a year and converts it into heat and electricity for tens of thousands of households.
But where other cities hide these kinds of industrial buildings away on the periphery, Copenhagen chose to be bold. Architect Bjarke Ingels and his team were commissioned to make this power plant not only a technical marvel, but also something the city can be proud of.
Their thought? If we lack space in the city, we should create it on top of our existing infrastructure. And why shouldn't a building be functional and attractive at the same time?
So the decision to build a ski slope, hiking trails, a climbing wall and a green park on top of the power station is not an isolated prestige project, but a conscious social choice:
- Show that industry and urban life can go together
- Give residents access to sports and green spaces even where space is scarce
- Make sustainability visible and tangible
- Grow support for necessary infrastructure, by adding public value to it
Instead of an anonymous industrial building on the outskirts of the city, CopenHill has become a public icon that shows how innovation, sustainability and liveability come together.
Roofs that literally move the city forward
CopenHill's roof is not just a design joke. It is a serious addition to the city. Its sloping construction has created 450 metres of ski slope, accessible to beginners and advanced skiers alike. You will also find Denmark's highest climbing wall, running paths, hiking trails and a naturally landscaped green roof that contributes to biodiversity and climate adaptation.
This way, the roof is not only used, but contributes concretely to: ✔ More space for sports and exercise Greening of the city ✔ Raising awareness about energy and waste Tourist attraction and quality of life for residents
"Copenhagen shows: the roof is not a constraint, but an opportunity."
Wwhat can we learn from this?
In the Netherlands, thousands of flat roofs are waiting for a new use. From business parks to sports halls, from distribution centres to parking garages. CopenHill shows that it is not only about what is technically possible, but mainly about the question: What do you want to do with the space you already have?
Instead of just thinking in square metres, think in social added value. Roofs offer space for:
- Sport and exercise
- Green and biodiversity
- Meeting and connecting
- Local food production
- Climate adaptation and energy generation
The challenge? Guts, collaboration and daring to think differently.
From grey box to vibrant roof
Copenhagen proves that even a power plant can be not only functional, but also social, sporty and green. CopenHill has become an inspiring example worldwide of how to reclaim urban space. Not by expanding the city, but by looking at existing space differently.
Because the real question is not whether we use those rooftops. The question is: What's holding us back?
The space is already there. The only thing missing is the choice to use it.
Do you want your roof to contribute to movement, greening or health? Show it in Roofs with Impact. Together we will make visible what is possible... over our heads.