RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
VISIT A LIVING LABORATORY FOR SUSTAINABILITY
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Photo: Febiyan / Unsplash
Copenhagen, Denmark, invites everyone to explore and learn at BLOX, a living demonstration of sustainability and urban planning. As you travel, seek out opportunities to learn about sustainable initiatives in the places you visit, and bring those lessons home with you.
What's
changing
Today’s travelers are increasingly seeking meaningful connections with the destinations they visit, prioritizing engagement with local culture, sustainability, and community-driven initiatives. The era of superficial, transactional travel, where tourists simply check off sights, is fading, as more destinations embrace and cater to the growing demand for immersive experiences.
What's already
possible
Copenhagen leverages tourism as a powerful tool to educate visitors on sustainable living practices they can adopt back home. A prime destination for this inspiration is BLOX, a dynamic, multi-functional building on a former brewery site along the Copenhagen harbor front. Serving as a living experiment in urban innovation, BLOX offers a glimpse into the future of sustainable urban spaces.
Seizing
the opportunity
Home to shops, restaurants, playgrounds, outdoor spaces, apartments, exhibit spaces, workplaces and a daycare, BLOX is sometimes referred to as a mini city. The Danish Architecture Centre (DAC) is one of four organizations focused on design and architecture located in the complex. This museum and exhibit space presents topics related to sustainable architecture and urban planning in a way that is accessible to visitors and experts alike. One of its goals is to ensure that visitors feel empowered to contribute to discussions about the futures of their cities.
Standout
tactic
The DAC hosts walking tours that explore how and why Copenhagen became known as one of the most sustainable and liveable cities in the world. Several local companies provide tours that teach travelers how to incorporate sustainable practices into their own lives and communities.
How
it helps
About 200,000 people visit the DAC each year, and more than 1,000 people work within the BLOX area.
Diving
deeper
Paradoxically, drawing more international visitors to learn about sustainability at BLOX could increase carbon emissions through air travel and other tourism-related activities, potentially undermining the sustainability goals the center promotes. Is there a balance between sharing sustainable practices and addressing the environmental challenges posed by increased travel?
Increasing
impact
The DAC could increase its impact by partnering with other cities to create satellite exhibits or pop-up events that showcase Copenhagen’s sustainable urban practices. This would bring their lessons directly to different regions, reducing the need for visitors to travel long distances.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
