Inflexible Patterns : Kay Fiskers Plads and the Fight for Quality Public Space

Abstract: Kay Fiskers Plads lies at the junction of Copenhagen’s south-bound  metro line, M1, and the Øresundtog train route connecting the city with Malmö, Sweden across the Øresund channel. Surrounding the plaza are Scandinavia’s largest shopping mall, Fields, Neroport offices, Sweden’s Ferring Pharmaceuticals branch and office spaces owned by KLP Ejendomme, a Norwegian based real estate firm. The plaza is bordered by long, blank façades that struggle to bring life onto the sidewalks, streets and shared spaces between buildings. Businesses come and leave quickly around Kay Fiskers Plads, while strategies to gain a new customer base and attractive nature continue to push forward.   This written presentation of research finds it’s basis in this particular space and sets to accomplish the following tasks: draw attention to the necessity of revitalizing modern urban dead zones; promote methods that, when implemented thoughtfully, can encourage a heightened sense of place / space identity for local residents and businesses; and provide updated and relevant academic literature that promotes knowledge and adds to the conversation surrounding Kay Fiskers Plads and modern urban plaza revitalization.  This research thesis will collect data through methods which include semi-structured interviews and mapping of Kay Fiskers Plads by the researcher (the author). These methodologies will be closely accompanied by theoretical perspectives that aim to draw the story of Kay Fiskers Plads into relevancy against the backdrop of global and local economic phenomena, architectural patterns, mega projects and a heightened need for public, multi-use spaces of quality. Work on this thesis began eight months ago in December 2021. However, it aims to bring about a conversation through scholarship that will be discussed forthcoming between city planners, architects, business owners, investors, frequent users of the space and those who will be acquainted with it in the future. There is a pressing need for all previously mentioned parties to have a solid understanding of the far reaching effects that public space, economy, citizens and vitality play upon one another– in essence, a need for discussion on projects under the umbrella scope of urban studies.