Circularity in Action: 2025 Copenhagen Delegation
Embarking on our second Sustainability Delegation to Scandinavia, we once again set our sights on the vibrant cities of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden. This year, our focus remained on uncovering the strategies these urban centers employ to foster sustainable innovation, champion circular economy principles, and collaboratively shape thriving, livable communities.
Our delegation of 20 accomplished professionals from the US and Canada, hailing from diverse backgrounds from British Columbia to Boston, brought a rich tapestry of expertise spanning architecture, urban planning, public policy, deconstruction, education, urban agriculture, and beyond. Over the course of eight days, from April 27th to May 4th, 2025, we immersed ourselves in the groundbreaking approaches that define Scandinavian leadership in green and social progress.
Day 1 - Discovering Copenhagen: A Culinary and Architectural Welcome
Our journey commenced in Copenhagen with a thoughtfully prepared lunch at Gro Spiseri, a unique urban oasis nestled in the Lyngbyvej Øst/Klimakvarteret district. More than just a restaurant, Gro Spiseri operates as a year-round communal hub, complete with its own flourishing rooftop garden and even a charming chicken coop. This direct connection to their source allows them to craft a seasonal menu brimming with the freshest produce and locally sourced seafood, offering a delicious introduction to Copenhagen's sustainable food ethos.
The afternoon unfolded with an insightful two-hour walking tour of the revitalized Nordhavn harbor district, expertly guided by the Danish Architecture Center. Once a bustling industrial port dominating the landscape until the early 1990s, Nordhavn has undergone a remarkable transformation into a dynamic, mixed-use neighborhood. Today, it pulses with the energy of restaurants, residential complexes, innovative design and architecture studios, all set against the backdrop of a vibrant waterfront.
The visionary master plan for Nordhavn prioritizes a mindful approach to urban development. It emphasizes the preservation and adaptive reuse of existing industrial warehouses and historic buildings, seamlessly integrating them with thoughtfully designed, high-performance new constructions. Furthermore, the plan places people at its center, fostering diverse public spaces, inviting promenades, extensive bicycle infrastructure, and convenient metro connections. At its core, Nordhavn is conceived as a collection of interconnected "urban islands," fostering a strong sense of community along the water's edge.
This immersive first day provided a rich introduction to Copenhagen's dedication to sustainability, innovation, and the creation of vibrant urban spaces.
Day 2 - Copenhagen: Ecosystem Introduction and Bicycle City Tour
In the morning, we gathered at State of Green’s office in the heart of Copenhagen for presentations from State of Green, the City of Copenhagen, and CONCITO. As the official green brand for Denmark, State of Green works to strengthen international awareness of the solutions and competences of Danish business and industry within energy, water, climate adaptation, and environment.
Kristine Munkgard Pedersen, representing the City of Copenhagen, presented on the history of Copenhagen’s transformation from a highly industrial port city to a global example of how a city can design for the health and wellbeing of its residents. A key takeaway from this presentation was the concept of communicating through infrastructure. Copenhagen officials frequently are asked by countries worldwide how they ‘make’ their residents ride bicycles as their (overwhelmingly) primary mode of transportation. The response: they make it an easy choice through the infrastructure!
Nicolas Francart from CONCITO then presented their significant work in helping all 98 municipalities in Denmark draft climate action plans to meet the Paris Agreement. Notably, participation in this initiative was voluntary, yet every single municipality across Denmark engaged. It's important to understand that a municipality in Denmark is more akin to a county in the US, often spanning large rural areas in addition to urban centers.
The funding for this nationwide effort was a collaborative model, with approximately one-third coming from the municipalities themselves and the remaining two-thirds provided by regional and national partners. CONCITO has now implemented a visual tracker, offering transparency into the specific actions each municipality is undertaking within their plans to achieve their climate goals. You can find more information about this initiative here.
Across these presentations, including several on our third day at BLOXHUB, a significant theme emerged: the crucial role of the philanthropic organization Realdania. Realdania has provided substantial funding to numerous initiatives, including the CONCITO project mentioned earlier, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and key ecosystem players like State of Green and BLOXHUB. This strategic funding has been instrumental in positioning Denmark as a leader in climate action. It's important to recognize the profound impact of this philanthropic support on Denmark's sustainability ecosystem and economy. This raises a critical question: why is this level of philanthropic leadership seemingly absent in other countries, such as the United States?
In the afternoon, we took a four-hour guided bike tour of the Southern half of the city.
Key urban redevelopments offered compelling case studies in adaptive reuse and modern design. We cycled through the Carlsberg District, the revitalized former headquarters of the world-renowned Carlsberg brewery, now a dynamic neighborhood blending historic architecture with contemporary living, retail, and cultural spaces. We also experienced Sluseholmen, often referred to as "Copenhagen's Little Venice," with its network of canals, houseboats, and distinctive modern architecture, showcasing a unique approach to waterfront living.
The tour highlighted Copenhagen's exceptional bicycle infrastructure. We traversed iconic pathways like The Snake (Cykelslangen), an elevated, winding cycle bridge offering stunning harbor views and seamless connectivity, and The Wave (Bølgebroen), a visually striking series of interconnected bridges that make navigating the waterways by bike a breeze.
Along the city's waterfront, our guide provided a fascinating history of architectural development, pointing out notable landmarks such as:
The striking Kaktus Towers, with their distinctive plant-covered facades.
BLOXHUB, Denmark's hub for sustainable urban development and architecture, showcasing innovative solutions for future cities.
The iconic Royal Library (Den Sorte Diamant - The Black Diamond), an architectural gem on the harbor front.
The popular Havnebadet Islands Brygge, public swimming pools integrated into the harbor, demonstrating the city's commitment to accessible recreation.
The distinctive Gemini Residence, two former seed silos transformed into modern apartments with unique cylindrical forms.
The award-winning Skolen i Sydhavnen, a modern elementary school seamlessly integrated into its community.
A particularly striking observation for our delegation was the design and accessibility of Copenhagen's schools. Unlike the often-fenced and guarded schools common in the US, the schools we encountered were seamlessly integrated into their neighborhoods, functioning much like any other public space – open and easily accessible to all. This stark contrast sparked significant reflection among the delegation members on the different societal values and approaches to public education space between Copenhagen and the United States.
Day 3 - Copenhagen: Deep Dive into Sustainable Urbanization at BLOXHUB
Our third day centered on an immersive exploration of circularity and sustainability at the city scale, hosted at BLOXHUB, the vibrant Nordic hub for sustainable urbanization, situated at Copenhagen's dynamic waterfront. Founded on the conviction that tackling global urbanization and climate change demands innovative collaboration, the BLOX building itself is a testament to this ethos, housing the BLOXHUB organization, co-working spaces for its extensive network of over 350 member organizations, residences, a gym, and the renowned Danish Architecture Center.
We commenced our day with a series of insightful presentations from leading local experts who are driving significant regional and global impact in the built environment:
Martine R. Kildeby of BLOXHUB warmly welcomed us to this central hub, providing an overview of BLOXHUB's mission and its role in fostering collaboration and innovation for sustainable urban development across the Nordic region and beyond.
Dani Hill-Hansen delivered a compelling presentation on "Building within (Planetary) Boundaries: Top-down and bottom-up targets." This fascinating overview detailed the groundbreaking work of a collective of scientists and data experts who meticulously calculated the permissible CO₂ emissions per square meter per year for Denmark's construction industry to align with the nation's carbon budget. Their efforts to garner industry support for mandating these CO₂ limits per square meter within building legislation – effectively harmonizing construction practices with the Paris Agreement – were particularly noteworthy. Impressively, over 650 industry partners signed on in support. However, the presentation highlighted the significant resistance encountered from politicians, ultimately resulting in the legally mandated CO₂ limits being less ambitious than initially proposed. This outcome sparked considerable reflection within our delegation: if a nation as progressive as Denmark faces such hurdles in implementing mandatory sustainability targets for a major industry, what are the implications for less pioneering countries striving for similar progress?
Karolina Bäckman Faulkner from GXN presented "CIRCULAR BY DESIGN: Circularity in the Built Environment." GXN, the strategic consultancy for the built environment affiliated with 3XN architects, provided a captivating overview of their diverse global projects championing circularity and material reuse within the construction sector. Compelling examples included the Quay Quarter Tower in Sydney, where a focus on RETENTION = SAVINGS led to the preservation of 60% of the existing structure and 90% of its core, resulting in a remarkable saving of over 12,000 tons of CO₂ and 130 million AUD in material costs and time. The presentation also offered valuable insights into the critical role of material mapping for effective reuse, recycling, and upcycling, as well as the principles of design for disassembly.
Later in the day, we experienced the unique self-governing community of Christiania, offering a different perspective on urban living and community development. The day concluded with a delightful communal dinner at Hotel Kanalhuset, fostering further discussion and connection among the delegation members.
Day 4 - Copenhagen: Exploring Innovative Projects and Sustainable Infrastructure
Our fourth day was dedicated to experiencing firsthand some of Copenhagen's groundbreaking special projects and sustainable infrastructure initiatives across the city.
Our morning began with an engaging presentation at the Troldtekt Showroom. Troldtekt is a leading Danish manufacturer of acoustic panels made from a unique combination of wood fibers and cement. Their products are known for their excellent sound absorption properties, durability, and natural aesthetic, making them a popular choice for ceilings and walls in a wide range of buildings, from offices and schools to cultural institutions and private homes. A key aspect of Troldtekt's philosophy is their commitment to circularity and Cradle-to-Cradle. They actively promote the use of sustainable materials and have developed initiatives for recycling and upcycling their products at the end of their lifecycle. Interestingly, our delegation would later observe some of Troldtekt's reclaimed tiles during our visit to Tscherning House on Day 5.
Next, we returned to the House of Green for an informative presentation from Rockwool. The Rockwool Group is a global leader in stone wool solutions. Stone wool is a versatile material made from volcanic rock, offering a wide array of benefits including excellent thermal insulation, fire resistance, and acoustic performance. Rockwool's products are used in various applications, from building insulation and facades to acoustic ceilings and industrial solutions. The company places a strong emphasis on sustainability throughout its value chain, focusing on energy efficiency in production, responsible sourcing of raw materials, and the recyclability of their products. They are actively involved in promoting circular economy principles within the construction industry.
Our exploration continued with a special behind-the-scenes tour of the ongoing development of Fælledby, Copenhagen's pioneering all-timber neighborhood. This ambitious project, currently under active construction, offered our delegation a unique opportunity to visit the development's showroom and office, which also functions as a fascinating laboratory for testing innovative nature-based materials for potential use on-site and in future developments. A particularly noteworthy aspect of Fælledby is its deep commitment to enhancing biodiversity, with nature and community well-being serving as central design principles. Building on a former landfill site presented unique engineering and environmental challenges, and the project team expressed great pride in the innovative solutions they have implemented to overcome these hurdles. The significant investment from a Danish pension fund underscores the project's viability, demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can indeed go hand in hand.
Finally, we visited the iconic CopenHill Waste-to-Energy Plant. This remarkable facility is a testament to innovative urban infrastructure, seamlessly integrating essential waste management with public recreation. CopenHill not only efficiently converts waste into energy but also features an artificial ski slope, hiking trails, and a climbing wall on its roof, offering year-round recreational opportunities for the city's residents. We toured both the exterior "hill" and the inner workings of the plant, gaining insight into its advanced energy generation processes in real time. We also heard their ambitious plans to scale the capture of carbon emitted from the burned materials. They’ve been piloting this on a small scale. Fun fact, the air that is emitted by the facility is cleaner than the air found in the center of Copenhagen.
Day 5 - Copenhagen: Circular Economy in Action and Architectural Innovation
We began the day with an insightful tour of the Dansk Retursystem Facility in Høje Taastrup, delving into the intricacies of Denmark's highly successful deposit return system (DRS) for beverages. We learned that Denmark operates a single, comprehensive DRS, encompassing 62,578 active SKUs. Established in 2000 with an exclusive right, Dansk Retursystem is a non-profit organization owned by breweries and governed by a Statutory Order, with a Board of Directors composed of key stakeholders.
The system promotes free choice of packaging, with each packaging type covering its own cost, and circular designed bottles incurring the lowest fees. Producers and importers can even access a free online design guide. A key focus is on bottle-to-bottle recycling rather than downcycling, achieving impressive recycling rates of 99% for glass and aluminum, and 93% for plastic.
Our next stop was the Tscherning House, which we reached after a pleasant walk through quiet suburbs. The company owner personally guided us through their remarkable office space, a testament to circular economy principles in construction. The Tscherning House embodies a transformation principle, utilizing the highest possible degree of reused construction materials, with 89% reused, recycled, and sustainable building materials and furnishings. Notably, 100% of the bearing structures are direct reuse, resulting in a Life Cycle Analysis of 2.57 CO2e/m2/year. Construction materials are cleverly sourced from demolitions.
Beyond its environmental credentials, the Tscherning House prioritizes social sustainability, fostering a welcoming and motivating work environment infused with history and atmosphere. Our delegation was so captivated that many expressed a desire to linger in this inspiring space. We were also treated to a delicious lunch of traditional open-faced sandwiches, which some members of the delegation declared to be their best meal and favorite experience of the entire trip.
In the afternoon, we embarked on another exceptional walking tour led by the Danish Architecture Center, revisiting the Carlsberg City District. Building upon our earlier bike tour on Day 2, we further explored how the former industrial buildings in this district have been given new life, seamlessly blending with modern construction and innovative climate protection measures. A standout example was their flood prevention infrastructure, which ingeniously uses green spaces and creative playgrounds that double as temporary water reservoirs during heavy rainfall. This demonstrated a brilliant approach to multi-use, low-impact spaces, maximizing land usage in dense urban areas while effectively adapting to climate change.
Following this, we experienced the unique atmosphere of Cisternerne, former underground water reservoirs transformed into a dynamic art space. This year's exhibition featured a captivating ocean theme. This year's exhibition, "Psychosphere" by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen, offered an immersive journey into the deep sea, inspired by the emergence of life in volcanic vents billions of years ago. Through video projections, sound, light, and sculpture, the installation explored the profound interconnectedness of all living species and invited visitors to reflect on humanity's role in shaping the future of life on Earth. Steensen's extensive fieldwork, including collaborations with scientific researchers and documentation of deep-sea volcanic landscapes, brought to life a virtual interpretation of these hidden environments, creating a captivating and thought-provoking experience within Cisternerne's unique subterranean space.
Our day concluded with a leisurely stroll through Frederiksberg Park, followed by a delightful dinner.
Day 6 - Malmö: Circularity and Sustainable Design Across the Øresund
We ventured across the Øresund Bridge to learn more about the circularity efforts of Sweden’s third-largest city. We kicked off the day with a presentation from E.ON about smart energy grids. Through advanced grid technologies, automation, and digital solutions, EON optimizes energy efficiency, empowers consumers, and paves the way for a sustainable energy future for Sweden.
Next, Varvsstaden welcomed us to explore their cutting-edge "Material Bank," a dynamic database showcasing the site's materials while highlighting the environmental benefits of recycling and reuse. With a commitment to circular construction, Varvsstaden identified materials within their existing campus that can be repurposed in other buildings, mitigating the need (and cost) for brand new materials. They shared insights into their process for inventorying, dismantling, and storing materials, ensuring every step is transparent, accessible, and measurable.
The first rain of our trip was warmed away with ramen at lunch.
Lastly, we visited Form/Design Center, the leading platform for architecture, design, and crafts in southern Sweden. Designated by the government as a national node for designing living environments, sustainability is built into the core of much of their existing work. Our members had a lot of fun with the existing exhibits. One interactive exhibit, "Soil Sense Training Facility" by Danish artist Maria Viftrup in collaboration with Jordens Hus (House of Soil), particularly engaged our delegation. This unique installation aimed to cultivate a deeper "Sense of Soil" by inviting visitors to engage directly with various soil matters. Based on research from 30 Nordic scientists, artists, and farmers, the exhibit highlighted soil's crucial role as the foundation of life and an archive of the past, encouraging reflection on our connection to this vital, yet often overlooked, living resource. As you can see from the photos, a lot of fun was had.
Day 7 - Copenhagen: Last Day
Our final full day in Copenhagen began with a visit to the Danish Design Museum, housed in a beautifully repurposed 18th-century hospital. The museum showcases a rich collection of Danish design exports, from iconic furniture and art to fixtures, alongside thought-provoking exhibits that delve into the human experience, our relationship with the environment, and how contemporary design is shifting towards a planet-first approach. For lunch, we enjoyed smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), one of Copenhagen's most recognizable dishes, at Oscar Cafe, a prominent LGBTQ+ friendly restaurant just steps from the museum.
In the afternoon, delegation members broke into smaller groups for some free time to explore other points of interest around the city. Some delved into Copenhagen's vibrant thrift store scene, while others enjoyed the tranquility of the city's major public parks and iconic landmarks. A few even braved a waterfront sauna experience. We reconvened for one last memorable dinner together at Vækst, located in the charming old Latin Quarter. Part of the Cofoco restaurant collaborative, Vækst celebrates local produce in a stunning space designed to evoke the ambiance of a greenhouse, providing a fitting end to our immersive trip.
About Sustainability Delegations
Circular San Antonio’s Sustainability Delegations offer an opportunity for sustainability professionals to participate in immersive experiences in European cities that are focused on shaping greener, more sustainable urban environments. Open to professionals from all US states and territories, delegation trips cultivate transdisciplinary relationships with peers across the United States that represent geographic, cultural, and professional diversity. Our curated tours allow participants to engage with their counterparts in Europe, establishing transatlantic connections and relationships that can support collaborative efforts on both sides of the Atlantic — an imperative more important now than ever.
We are now accepting applications for our first delegation to Switzerland in October 2025! Apply now to secure your spot.