Broad Political Agreement Sets Course for Future Urban Life, Parking and Road Safety in Copenhagen

A broad majority on Copenhagen City Council has reached an agreement that will shape the future of parking, urban life and traffic safety in the Danish capital. The agreement includes more parking spaces for businesses and people with disabilities, additional green urban streets, safer routes to schools and expanded outdoor dining opportunities.

The agreement has been signed by the Red-Green Alliance, the Socialist People’s Party, the Social Democrats, the Conservative People’s Party, the Danish Social-Liberal Party, Venstre, the Liberal Alliance, the Alternative and the Danish People’s Party.

The aim is to establish a long-term framework for parking policy while continuing to develop the city with a stronger focus on green public spaces, traffic safety and accessibility. The agreement stipulates that spending on parking-related initiatives must not exceed the municipality’s parking revenues.

More Parking and Greater Flexibility

Under the agreement, around one-third of Copenhagen’s dedicated electric car-sharing parking spaces – approximately 320 spaces – will temporarily be converted into ordinary parking spaces until 2030. The measure is intended to better match parking capacity with demand.

At the same time, additional parking spaces will be created for commercial vehicles and people with disabilities. In Copenhagen’s historic city centre, known as the Medieval City, 50 previously removed parking spaces will be reinstated, including 20 spaces for disabled parking and 30 for business use.

The municipality will also examine the possibility of extending time limits at public electric vehicle charging stations.

Green Streets and Safer School Routes

The agreement also seeks to expand the number of green urban streets across Copenhagen. The existing urban life street programme will be extended, and the parties will work to secure funding for up to 20 additional green streets as part of the 2027 municipal budget negotiations.

According to the agreement, no more than 100 parking spaces may be removed as part of future urban development projects, and all removed spaces must be replaced elsewhere.

The parties have also pledged to accelerate efforts to improve road safety around schools and will seek additional funding for safer school routes.

Expanded Outdoor Dining

Restaurants and cafés will benefit from greater opportunities for outdoor dining. Five streets in the Medieval City will be permitted to expand outdoor seating areas onto former parking spaces and road space.

Work on the broader Public Space Plan for the Medieval City will also continue, including the introduction of additional greenery, planters and other urban design elements.

Broad Political Support

Copenhagen’s Mayor for Climate, Environment and Technical Affairs, Line Barfod of the Red-Green Alliance, described the agreement as an important step towards a more coherent long-term parking policy.

“We need a green city where children can cycle safely to school, while ensuring that everyday life remains manageable for people who depend on a car. I am very pleased that we have now agreed on a common political direction for the future,” she said.

The participating parties highlighted that the agreement balances the needs of businesses, motorists and residents while supporting the creation of greener and more vibrant public spaces throughout Copenhagen.