Wet Copenhagen
May 2018
Denmark’s commitment to addressing the risks of climate change is a model for the rest of the world. The student photos conform to rigorous criteria and their assignment was to make baseline photos that reference the current sea level at iconographic sites along the harbor in Copenhagen. The date, time, and precise location of each photo’s vantage point has been recorded and will be used as the basis for ‘repeat’ photos to document changes in sea level over the coming decades and discussion points on the extent to which the Danish and Copenhagen governments have been successful in mitigating the risks of expected sea level rise.
Course: Landscape Photography and Geography Timothy Case, Ph.D., Visiting Faculty, DIS, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Sea level rise is a phenomena directly facing many coastal areas, and indirectly affecting much more due to the dispersed effects of sea level rise and greater climate issues. The Sluseholmen development was completed in 2014 on reclaimed land in the formerly industrial port area of Sydhavn. Sluseholmen bridges the natural and built in a definitively built environment. As one of the early attempts to reutilize previously industrial areas in Copenhagen, and in land reclamation, it will be critical to see if these types of projects are feasible in the long term.
This photograph was taken on May 2nd at 6:55am with a .025 meter tide in Sluseholmen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Jesse Allen (Colgate University '19)
As egocentric animals with short lifespans in the grand scheme of our planet’s processes, it is hard for us to comprehend something that moves as slowly as climate change. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons we have been stagnant in making drastic changes in order to mitigate climate change has been because the effects move so slow that we hardly notice it. Wet Copenhagen aims to compile sea level rise in a way that is visible to humans in hope to illustrate its effects. Presented in this landscape is the man made harbor of Nordhavn, a newly developed area particularly vulnerable to sea level rise.
Taken at 9:16:00 AM on April 30th, 2018. Landscape includes the Portland Silo Towers in the Nordhavn basin.
Cameron Bechmann (Brandeis University '19)
Denmark is globally-recognized as a green leader. Amager Bakke, the waste-to-energy power plant on Amager, is a key example of their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the single most important and effective way to counteract climate change and rising sea levels. Preventing sea level rise is of particular importance in this landscape because it will affect human recreation via impacts on the Royal Danish Playhouse and the Opera House.
I captured this landscape on February 21, 2018 at 12:55PM.
Tim Burnette (Grinnell College '19)
Sea level rise has been at the core of the climate change discussion for the past decade as perhaps the most volatile and destructive consequence of the process. For an island city like Copenhagen, these are effects are significantly amplified. Throughout the city, harbors and water features are integrated into the infrastructure and aesthetic of what we know to be distinctly Copenhagen, making the impacts city wide. I have chosen to photograph a site which incorporates both the industrial side of Copenhagen’s harbor use as well as the new, modern adaptations to the aquatic areas.
The photograph was taken at 17:52 on April 30th, 2018, at the base of the Cykelslangen along the Sydhavnen Harbor.
Mitchell Davis (Vassar College '19)
This photo depicts Storm Bridge, one of the four Bridges crossing over Frederiksholms Kanal. The canal was dug out in 1681 as part of the effort to expand Copenhagen’s West Rampart following what is known as the Assault on Copenhagen - a major battle during the Second Northern War taking place during the seige of Copenhagen by the Swedish Army. The canal is part of a U shaped water body connected to Copenhagen’s harbor that surrounds the island of Slotsholmen, the location of Christiansborg Palace. Situated to the left of where this photo was taken is the National Museum, and to the right lies Christiansborg Palace.
April 18, 2018 12:32 PM
Zoe Dickerson (Colby College '19)
The purpose of this project is to document sea level rise in and around Copenhagen. The hope is that 10, 20, or 30 years from now, someone or myself will use this photo to compare what this spot used to look like. The water is estimated to rise about 0.5m within the century. Due to Denmark’s close proximity to Norway, sea levels will be affected by melting glaciers and ice sheets in Norway, and also thermal expansion of water from global warming temperatures.
April 6th, 2018, 3:10pm, Copenhagen, Denmark
Allie Epke (Pacific Lutheran University '19)
Nobody in Copenhagen lives far from a waterfront, canal or harbor. The canals are a defining part of Copenhagen’s recreational life as the built landscape around the waterfront is very prominent in the city’s culture. However, sea level rise has had and will continue to have a direct impact on the water level of the canals and waterways in Copenhagen, as coastal cities will be the most vulnerable to the consequences of global warming. Environmentalists struggle with generating concern about an Earth altered beyond recognition in the coming centuries and landscape photography seeks to bring climate change closer to home.
Taken around 3:30pm on April 13th, 2018. The Circle Bridge is shown in front of the Black Diamond Library.
Carina Flaherty (Wesleyan University '19)
This project aims to allow us to see first hand the negative effects our carbon footprint can have on places we hold special to our hearts. While we can do little to stop climate change from occurring, it is crucial that we recognize it is taking place. Through this we are then able to lessen our impacts to slow the process in the future. This is a photo taken in Nyhavn, a perfect location to document and understand the impacts sea level rise will have on coastal cities in the future.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Michaela Gilbert (Trinity University '19)
In 2015, the Circle Bridge was added to Copenhagen’s harbor as a testimony to maritime activity. The five masts on the bridge imitate those on a ship while the circles connect to complete the greater circle of Copenhagen Harbor. This pedestrian route allows people to see
the city from a different perspective. Also, since Copenhagen is on the water, it is exposed to sea level rise. The city is making important adaptation efforts, such as adding more green space. Over the years, we can revisit Circle Bridge to see the change in sea level and experience how it has changed Copenhagen’s harbor.
April 13th, 2018, 14:45
Hannah Gruber (Indiana University '19)
Frederiksholms Canal surrounds Slotsholmen, the island that has Christiansborg Castle, parliament, and museums. Slotsholmen is an important cultural location in Copenhagen, and has been demolished by fire twice. Now, the current threat is flooding from sea level rise. This area is of high priority of protection, and if storm surges or flooding occurred, priceless Danish history could be lost. Conversations need to happen about the negative consequence climate change and sea level rise has on Slotsholmen, all of Copenhagen, and the rest of the world.
January 28, 2018 at 3:26pm
Arbour Guthrie (Emory University '19)
Because of the anthropogenic climate change, sea level is rising dramatically due to the thermal expansion and melting of glaciers. Christian’s Church is located in Christianshavn that is a built landscape on several artificial islands to the east part of the city of Copenhagen. It is a lively community with free spirits and creativity that serves primarily for resident and tourism. However, this area is particular vulnerable to be flooded because it is lowland and close to the water. This project aims at documenting the ongoing change of sea level by doing landscape photography and rephotography in the near future.
This is a photograph of the Christian’s Church which was taken at 2:40 pm on April 13, 2018 in Christianshavn, Copenhagen. It is taken with a Sony A7M2 with 28-70mm lens.
Reggie Huang (Colby College '19)
With potential for urban space improvement, the principal aim of the cloudburst road along Johan Semps Gade is to discharge water away from roadways to the harbor, both directly and via Christianshavn Canal. Through its manufactured, terraced road, the Johan Semps Gade walkway bridges the cultural landscape of Christianshavn with the natural seawater of Copenhagen Harbor. In doing so, the road is adapted to rising sea levels in Copenhagen, whilst still maintaining its purpose as a public space for everyday use. By cloudburst-proofing urban spaces, both humans and the environment can coexist in a constantly transforming space.
Johan Semps Gade, Christianshavn | April 13, 2018 3:53pm
Jaclyn Lee (Georgetown University '19)
Humans have caused significant changes to the natural environment through the building of structures as well as the emission greenhouse gases, a major driver of climate change. Today, climate change is shaping Copenhagen as the city adapts to precipitation increases and sea level rise. Over time, the iconic landscape of Nyhavn may undergo major changes as a result of both floods and climate adaptation measures. Documenting these changes in the city’s landscape by photographing sea level rise will allow for a greater understanding of the effects of climate change and galvanize individuals to take action to improve the environment.
Nyhavn Harbor. April 16th, 2018 at 3:17 PM.
Marchelle Lundquist (Columbia University '19)
While rising sea levels are a long way off from putting Copenhagen underwater, higher water levels will lead to higher intensity storms, and will amplify the damages done by flooding. To prepare for this, Copenhagen has fashioned a detailed climate adaptation plan that predicts future sea level rise. Such will help iconic areas like Nyhavn (above) remain a center of cultural and economic activity. By documenting this change as it happens, Copenhagen can react, adapt, and create the future that it wants for itself.
April 30, 2018, 4:50 PM, Nyhavn, Copenhagen
Elijah Sinclair (Brandeis University '19)
The photo above depicts one of Copenhagen’s most iconic locations, Nyhavn. In this historic port, pleasure and house boats line up against the canal walls and on sunny days, locals contest with the tourists for a seat along the water. In the next 100 years, the sea level around Copenhagen is predicted to rise by a meter, putting the city at even greater risk of flooding from cloudbursts. Though Copenhagen is doing its best to mitigate and adapt, the landscape along Copenhagen’s waterfront is going to change dramatically in the coming years leading to the question – on whose terms?
Nyhavn, Copenhagen, April 2018
Gabby Yates (Colgate University '19)