Let's Talk Architecture

How architecture can drive social change

Let's Talk Architecture

Show Notes

How do you address the issues related to disadvantaged public housing areas, often affected by high unemployment, crime, and other challenges? The question is common to many cities across Europe. In Denmark the government is combining social and architectural interventions in the most troubled areas: With the 'parallel society law', up to 60% of existing residents are evicted, and entire housing blocks are being renovated and improved. The aim is to convert troubled housing areas into attractive, safe, and diverse neighborhoods. But can the built environment affect the social issues of a place? And how do the changes affect the residents of the area? These are some of the questions Michael Booth raises in this episode of Let's Talk Architecture, as he joins Marie Stender, anthropologist, and senior researcher at Aalborg University, for a walk in Mjølnerparken, a social housing area in Copenhagen, that is affected by the new law to prevent parallel societies. Let's Talk Architecture is a podcast produced by the Danish Architecture Center, with sound edits by Munck Studio.

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Sep 24, 2026

Copenhagen continues to build and expand, and the next stage will be the development of Refshaleøen, a former military base and industrial zone on the harbourfront across from the Little Mermaid statue. But what will the mobility mix look like when the district is completed in a couple of decades' time? Copenhagen is world famous for its cycle culture, but the Danes are buying more cars than ever, and driving them more kilometres too. Meanwhile, the Metro link looks like it will come after the majority of new residents have moved in, which isn't ideal… One of the organisations hoping to be involved in planning the transport for the Danish capital in the future is Beta Mobility. We meet with its co-founder, architect Robert Martin, to hear how he sees the city's transport mix of the future and take a trip to Refhaleøen to hear how he would like things to shape up as the Danish capital moves into the second half of the century.

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Visit most of the major architecture firms in Copenhagen and you might be forgiven for thinking the industry is more diverse than most, but as we learn in this episode, things aren't always what they seem. Christine Bjerke is an architect and the co-founder of Building Diversity, a volunteer-run organisation which focuses on inclusivity and aims to enhance diversity within the built environment. We've touched on this a few times over the years in episodes of Let's Talk Architecture, looking at how to include a wider range of people in the consultancy process, how to open up the industry to a broader spectrum of people, or how to make buildings and spaces more accessible, both physically and just more approachable. But Building Diversity is tackling all of this head on. Join us as we visit one of Copenhagen's most prominent public spaces to see it through Christine's eye

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