Architect Rune Veile · URBAN POWER · at ...
In this inspiring and visually rich presentation, Rune Veile, co-founder of Urban Power, takes the audience on a journey through contemporary Danish urbanism and the challenges shaping our cities. Founded around 12 years ago with two partners, Urban Power works at the intersection of buildings, landscape, and urban planning, guiding clients through complex processes that often span 5, 10, or even 15 years. Many of the projects shown are still evolving—reflecting the long-term nature of meaningful urban transformation.
Rune Veile outlines the urgent issues facing Denmark: rising CO₂ emissions from inefficient housing and demolition, biodiversity loss, increasing car dependency, flooding from cloudbursts and sea level rise, and the fundamental challenge of limited land in a small country. Drawing on national statistics, he highlights how each person in Denmark effectively accounts for more than 1,000 square meters of urbanized space when infrastructure, parking, and leftover areas are included. The conclusion is clear: we must use space far more intelligently.
Through conceptual proposals and built projects, he demonstrates how Urban Power addresses these challenges by combining functions, reusing existing structures rather than demolishing them, thoughtfully densifying cities, integrating biodiversity into public spaces, and strengthening pedestrian and cyclist connections. Ideas such as a continuous green spine connecting fragmented natural areas across Denmark and a high-speed rail ring transforming the country into a “one-hour city” illustrate how infrastructure and ecology can be reimagined at a national scale.
The presentation then moves into concrete examples around Copenhagen and Scandinavia: transforming former shipyard halls into student housing and event spaces; converting outdated office parks into mixed-use residential communities; creating “symbiosis housing” that combines offices, urban farming, kindergartens, and homes within one building; and designing community-oriented housing in wood and low-CO₂ materials. Rune Veile emphasizes identity, social interaction, and shared facilities as essential components of sustainable living—not only reducing emissions but improving quality of life.
He also discusses the realities of development, including municipal regulations, affordable housing requirements, and the financial pressures shaping modern cities. Projects range from dense harbor developments to nature-integrated housing in Norway and large-scale visions for entirely new urban districts.
The talk concludes on a personal note with the home Rune Veile designed and built for his own family—an experiment in climate adaptation prepared for future flooding. Constructed over three years, the house reflects both technical precision and lived experience, reinforcing his belief that architects must understand every scale of building, from national planning to the smallest construction detail.
Throughout the presentation, Rune Veile makes a compelling case that cities are not just part of the climate problem—they are central to the solution. With creativity, long-term thinking, and intelligent use of space, urban environments can become more sustainable, more resilient, and far more livable.
