The Gentofte Channel

The Gentofte Channel, a historic water course connecting Gentofte Lake with the Søborghus Channel and further to the Øresund, was originally integrated into Copenhagen’s defense strategy as a controlled floodplain designed to keep enemies at bay. Today, the approximately 1.5 km long blue-green corridor has been transformed into a vital climate-adapted recreational link between residential areas.

The climate adaptation has been realised through an expansion that increases the watercourse’s capacity to handle about 1,600 liters of water per running mette. In dry weather, overflow water is discreetly channeled through a narrow stream, while during cloudburst events, stormwater can overflow controlled across the entire channel, thereby reducing the risk of flooding in nearby gardens, pathways, and basements.

The new asymmetric profile enhances biodiversity and strengthens people’s connection with nature: one side features an upgraded pedestrian and bicycle path, organized to improve safety and security, while the opposite side forms a gently sloping riverbank with meandering footpaths among shrubs and trees. This creates a varied landscape space with opportunities for recreation, contemplation, and slower, community-oriented encounters in close contact with water and nature.

The project respects the area’s cultural heritage by preserving the Gentofte Channel’s historical function, while at the same time ensuring climate adaptation and strengthening social relations through improved access and nature experiences.

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