Sunday Copenhagen hosted the annual half-marathon, one of the few occasions where cars are banned, and the streets returned to the people. Last year during the same event, an environmental NGO measured the ultra fine (ultra lethal) particles on average ten times lower than a typical rush hour. This kind of pollution kills 540 Copenhageners every year. It is absurd really, how we insist on clinging to such toxic behavior.
Seizing the opportunity, the local council of Nørrebro prolonged the ban on cars, and had Nørrebrogade opened up to the public after the marathon (and crappy weather) had passed. Turning the otherwise hectic street people friendly with a soapbox race for kids on the bridge, small soccer goals, plants, pavilions and tables with boxes of free chalk for all.
Queen Louises Bridge, with the rescued bunker trees on the corners. Imagine this picture without them? Shudder.
Copenhagen by day. Clever supermarket tote bag.
I started at the bridge and just raised
my camera every once in a while, pointing up and down the street. Unable
to take it all in at once. The mood was so calm and happy, especially
when I reached the yellow part, by Assistens Cemetery. Nature does
something to people, the presence of big trees just calms us. Even if we
are not aware of it.
Freeeeeeedooooooom.
I love how it is blurry, but you can still tell that everyone in the picture are happy and relaxed.
At
this point cars usually race by, sidewalks are narrow along the
cemetery and you don’t let your kids play freely here. Seeing it
returned to the people was kind of mind blowing. Look at what we could
do with this place, if cars were banned more often (or gasp: entirely)?
Slow down! And that goes for cyclists too.
Still,
watching the kids was the best part of it all, racing up and down the
street, exhilarated like small prisoners set free. A perfect time in
life to learn about how public space is allocated and question the
status quo.
We can put it to better use.
♥
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments! Go ahead, make my day. :-)