UN17 Village

UN17 Village is the world’s first construction project designed to address and integrate all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into a single, comprehensive solution.

This ambitious approach sets new standards for urban development by fostering collaboration across disciplines and aiming to promote new solutions not only in construction but also in the long-term operation of real estate and the everyday lives of its residents.

A holistic approach
There are many ways to approach sustainability, but in UN17 Village, we have developed a holistic method that extends beyond traditional building materials. Our approach is structured around six overarching themes: materials, energy, water, biodiversity, health, and community.

In UN17 Village, this relates not only to construction materials but also to ensuring that living spaces promote well-being, social interaction, and the thriving of plant and animal life.

As part of its vision, the project incorporates 200 tangible sustainability initiatives that guide the SDG aspirations of the development. These include designing courtyards that increase local biodiversity, creating nature-based purification of rainwater, recycling construction materials for new furniture, etc.

All leading to the project achieving the certifications DGNB Platinum and DGNB Heart.

Integrating nature into urban life
The landscape design in UN17 Village seamlessly integrates nature between the buildings, shaping the identity of each of the five courtyards.

By establishing a rich and diverse grown environment with a variety of habitats, the landscape promotes both plant and animal life.

Through our biologists’ ecological fieldwork analyses, the local plant species and biotopes of the adjacent Kalvebod Fælled have been incorporated into the heart of the landscape design to enhance the local biodiversity while also improving the microclimate, mitigating the Urban Heat Island effects, and increasing the recreational value for residents.

Additionally, we have carefully designed the outdoor lighting to minimize disturbance to nocturnal insects and wildlife, creating a balanced coexistence between urban living and nature.

Encouraging active lifestyles and social interaction
Each of the five buildings in UN17 Village includes a communal function on the ground floor, and two of the rooftops feature greenhouses that serve as community hubs and gathering places.

To promote everyday active mobility, an attractive recreational pathway system weaves through courtyards and rooftops, encouraging residents to take scenic routes rather than the shortest path.

Additionally, free outdoor sports and play facilities are available to all, ensuring that residents and visitors alike can engage in healthy, active lifestyles within the development.

Water management and conservation
Clean drinking water is a valuable resource that must be used responsibly. In UN17 Village, rooftops and courtyards are designed to collect and reuse rainwater for irrigation of green spaces, urban gardens, and recreational areas.

UN17 Village is capable of harvesting more than one million liters of rainwater annually, supporting a circular water system that reduces consumption and enhances environmental resilience.

A blueprint for future communities
UN17 Village is envisioned as a catalyst for a broader movement in the built environment. Beyond its local impact, the project aspires to inspire similar developments worldwide, offering a scalable and adaptable methodology that can be customized to local conditions. As technologies, materials, and construction methods evolve, UN17 Village provides a flexible framework that encourages continuous improvement and innovation.

By pioneering a comprehensive and integrated approach to SDGs, UN17 Village sets a new standard for the future of urban living – where architecture, nature, and community come together to create a truly resilient, future-proof, and inspiring environment.