Cities shape our everyday lives more than we might realise. They can bring us together or leave us feeling isolated. How can we create urban spaces that support healthier lives and a stronger sense of belonging?

Copenhagen is internationally recognised as a liveable city. Its harbour baths have become meeting places for thousands of swimmers. Cycle lanes make daily journeys convenient and healthy, while parks and squares bring people together across age groups and backgrounds.

We are drawn to the city’s energy and opportunities. Yet urban life can also bring stress, loneliness and insecurity. With more than half the world’s population living in urban areas, the way we design shared spaces matters to billions of people. Putting people first means understanding how they move and meet, and what helps them feel at home.

Developed in collaboration with the urban design practice Gehl and legendary architect Jan Gehl, the exhibition Cities for People draws on research and examples from New York, Buenos Aires, Shanghai and beyond. It explores how greener streets, areas without cars and places to gather can support healthier, more inclusive urban life.

Visitors can experience how the same public space may feel safe or unsettling depending on age, gender and life circumstances. You are also invited to share your own ideas for spaces that bring you joy and consider what you would change in your own neighbourhood.

Chances are that you will leave the exhibition with a brand-new view of the city you call home.

Based in BLOX on Copenhagen’s waterfront, the Danish Architecture Center (DAC) shares knowledge and encourages debate about architecture and urban development through exhibitions, talks and guided tours. Visit Cities for People and discover how cities could make more room for life.

Cities for People
5 October 2026 – 18 April 2027

Danish Architecture Center (DAC), Bryghuspladsen 10, Copenhagen
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily; until 9pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays

Danish Architecture Center (DAC) is located by the waterfront in Copenhagen’s Cultural District – at the very heart of the city. Exhibitions at DAC celebrate the history of Danish architecture and highlight ideas, trends and visions shaping a sustainable future. DAC engages people in architecture – to create change.

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