2023 CO-LAB IN SYDHAVN
SAGA research is being conducted in a host of collaborations, co-hosted laboratory style workshops, or co-labs, that bring together different actors in different settings and cities to spark new research and understandings related to sustainability across languages.
SAGA’s first co-lab took place in Copenhagen’s South Harbour, or Sydhavn, where an active local community has taken up sustainability challenges including climate adaptation, self-built housing, natural reclamation of a former landfill, and historic preservation of a fishing harbour and community facilities, all via a uniquely Danish approach. Here we were hosted by Danish SAGA researcher Majken Taftager Larsen.
After an introduction to the area’s development and political history from Roskilde University professor John Andersen, the SAGA team spent the day in and with the Sydhavn community. While this community sits only a 15 minute train ride from central Copenhagen, we learned together how Sydhavn sits apart from the international image and policy operations of Copenhagen.
Sydhavn is a community that agitates and takes charge of its own identity to keep their lifestyle options open to them and to remain a place apart. We got a glimpse into the landscape signs that demonstrate Sydhavn’s place and language specific approach to placemaking, heritage preservation of its Karens Minde culture house, restoration of wild and green spaces, and reclaiming rights to housing. We considered some of the approaches that have been effective in bringing a diverse and mobilized community together around shared interests, including community theatre, shared meals, and collective local history tours. We took photos, made notes and left the visit inspired to go further to investigate the dynamics and possibilities within the case of Sydhavn’s unique, independent, creative, and solidarity-based approach to crafting alternative futures for themselves.
