Ørestad

Ørestad is a new urban district in southern Copenhagen, part of the administrative district of Amager Vest. It runs about 6.5 kilometres along the elevated metro line, from central Copenhagen down to Naturpark Amager.

Development began in the 1990s as part of the plan to connect Copenhagen with the Øresund Region. Ørestadsselskabet (now By & Havn) was established in 1993 to manage the project, and in 1994 the masterplan was created through an international architectural competition. The first homes were completed in 2004, and the district continues to grow.

We were among the first residents in Ørestad, and watching a new city grow up around us has created a special, personal connection to the area. Today, around 30,000 people live here.

From the very beginning, the metro has been central to the district’s planning and development, intended as the primary mode of transport both within Ørestad and to the rest of Copenhagen. Ørestad has also played an economic role in the metro’s development, as revenue from land sales helped finance the metro system.

^{The metro connects Ørestad's neighborhoods. View from DR Byen metro station (Ørestad Nord) towards the south}

Ørestad is divided into sub‑districts, but there is quite a bit of confusion about where the boundaries actually lie and which areas are included. However, the most common approach is to divide the district into four main parts: Ørestad Nord, Amager Fælled, Ørestad City and Ørestad Syd.

Ørestad North – our neighbourhood (we moved here in May 2004) – was the first part of Ørestad to be ready for residents.

The district is shaped by major cultural and educational institutions such as the Danish Broadcasting Corporation with Copenhagen Concert Hall, the University of Copenhagen, the IT University and the Danish School of Media and Journalism.

The neighbourhood combines homes and student dormitories with a handful of shops and local businesses. Canals, promenades and bridges give the area its waterside character, balanced by urban green areas like the local park Grønningen.

^{IT University, Danish Broadcasting Corporation and some housing along Emil Holms Canal}

^{Blooming nature in Ørestad Nord's city park, Grønningen, with Copenhagen Concert Hall in the background}

^{University of Copenhagen, South Campus}

^{Karen Blixen Parken housing and Tietgenkollegiet dormitory}

^{Neighbourhood map, with the Boligslangen housing area in the background}

Just beyond the edge of Ørestad Nord district lies Amager Fælled, one of Copenhagen’s largest nature areas.

Amager Fælled district is primarily a nature reserve. There are some housing at the eastern edge of the area, but plans for a much larger development were cancelled (moved) due to protests.

Amager Fælled, the common itself, is a large (220 hectares) urban nature area in the northwestern part of Amager. It is known for its many different types of nature and landscape: meadow, bog, lake, forest, etc. The area has a rich history and was previously used as a collective pasture ("fælled" = common), and later as a military training area and landfill.

Today, Amager Fælled is recreational nature area, and a part of even larger (3,500 hectares) Nature Park Amager. And the cattle is back, as nature management is done by having cows and horses in some parts of the area.

There are good opportunities for relaxing walks, for example along the “Heart Path” (4.5 or 6 km) around the area. And if you’re looking for a longer hike, there is Amarminoen (27 km), which runs through the whole Amager Nature Park down to southern Amager.

^{Amager Fælled East – also known as the Sun Strip – is a long line of homes and institutions along the metro track}

^{Scottish Highland cattle enjoying themselves at Amager Fælled}

^{Me posing with garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Grønjordssøen pond and a glimpse of Ørestad City in the background}

The diverse nature of Amager Fælled makes it an ideal place to learn about wild herbs. It’s one of my own big interests, and I occasionally arrange guided walks and other activities focused on edible wild plants: facebook.com/spisamagerfaelled

In everyday use, Ørestad City refers to the stretch along the metro between Vejlands Allé and the Øresund Motorway. But definitions differ: not everyone counts Bellakvarter as part of it, and in Copenhagen Municipality’s district map several key places people link to Ørestad City (like Field’s and Ørestad Station) actually fall outside the area.

Ørestad City is the central section of Ørestad. The area is a dense mix of housing, offices, retail and public services arranged in a straightforward grid. Daily functions are concentrated along the main streets, including supermarkets, cafés, fitness centres and local workplaces. Public spaces are primarily designed for movement and access, supplemented by smaller green areas and private courtyards.

Ørestad Station functions as the main transport hub, serving both the M1 metro line and regional trains with direct connections to Copenhagen Central Station, the airport and southern Zealand. Bella Center Station provides an additional metro stop at the northern edge of the district.

^{Mountain Dwellings combines a multi‑storey car park with terraced housing above}

^{Metro Gardens under the metro line}

The southernmost part of Ørestad – Ørestad Syd – is a rapidly developing residential area with a focus on sustainability and modern living. It offers a mix of housing options and green spaces.

The district is sometimes divided into smaller parts, with the areas around Royal Arena Copenhagen going by their own name and referred to as Arenakvarteret (Arena District).

If you follow Copenhagen Municipality’s district map, Ørestad Syd is much larger and includes part of Ørestad City as well as the Copenhagen-managed section of the Kalvebod Fælled nature area.

^{City garden in the Arenakvarteret district. We also have a small garden plot here :-)}

^{View over the rooftops}

^{8 House - one of the key landmarks in Ørestad Syd}