On Sunday afternoon, a group of us gathered for a boat tour of the harbour. Our guide from the Danish Architecture Centre explained how the harbour has become an integral part of the revitalisation of Copenhagen. From a polluted industrial harbour to clean, swimmable water, the area has undergone significant change. With more young people choosing to settle in the city rather than moving away, the harbour front has become a key location for new housing. We sailed past many new residential developments, including the Gemini Residence (two repurposed silos) by MVRDV and Havneholmen by Lundgaard & Tranberg.

One of the most inspiring things from the tour was to see the way the water is considered as an extension of the public realm. The full length of the land at the edge of the harbour is maintained for public access and many of the new housing developments have direct connections to the water. There are many opportunities for kayaking, swimming and hiring boats.

We ended the tour seeing the Opera House and the Playhouse, our hangovers well and truly blown away by the bracing harbour wind.