Coastal landsscape as storm-surge protection

Protection against future rises in sea levels

At Lynetteholm, stone embankments and a varied coastal landscape will help provide protection against future sea-level rises.

Copenhageners will gain a new stretch of coastline with woodlands and recreational beach areas, while animals and plants will find new habitats both above and below the waterline.

We call the design ‘nature-based storm-surge protection’.

Where Lynetteholm faces Øresund, an indented coastline will be created. Following the indentations will

provide a 4.7 km walk. As the crow flies, the new coastal landscape stretches to 2.7 km.

Room for nature and people

Drawing on a wide range of expertise, By & Havn have developed a coastal landscape for...

Natural values

High biodiversity
Danish biotopes
Extensive coherent landscape areas
Nature in constant development

Recreational values

Access to the coastal landscape
Sensory experiences
A diverse landscape
Experience daily and seasonal rhythms

From vertical quayside to open coast

Rather than the familiar vertical drops of Copenhagen’s old industrial port, the water’s edge around Lynetteholm will be constructed as open landscape. This is an ‘invisible’ way of providing storm-surge protection and will allow Copenhageners to come down to the water.

A vertical edge makes waves crash upwards. A flat coastline draws the force out of the waves. Lynetteholm’s perimeter, which provides the storm-surge protection, can therefore be considerably lower than it if were vertical.

Vertical edge:

Quaysides will constantly have to be raised to keep pace with rises in water levels. This will create an ever greater barrier to the water.

Flat coastline:

If necessary, and to increase the storm-surge protection, the height of the coastal landscape may be adjusted locally without creating a barrier to the water.

Gradual landscape development

Time is a crucial factor in the development of robust planting.

The coastal landscapes first round of planting – including trees – are to be sown from seed. This means that they will germinate in the environment where they are to grow, encouraging trees and woods that are resistant to storms.

1st year after completion