Copenhagen's Social Democratic mayoral candidate Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil wants to transform the Royal Golf Club's Amager location into a public nature park. The proposal would see the city purchase the protected land from the Danish government and terminate the golf club's lease, which runs until 2047.
The golf club currently rents the Christianshavn-sized area from the Nature Agency. Rosenkrantz-Theil suggests Copenhagen Municipality should buy the land from the state. The municipality would then buy out the golf club's lease agreement.
Expropriation remains a possibility if negotiations fail. The candidate emphasized that compensation talks should come first. She told reporters the club would receive substantial compensation, mentioning a three-digit million figure in Danish kroner.
The protected status of the land makes purchase negotiations potentially easier. Building restrictions mean the property holds less commercial value for residential development.
This isn't the first time politicians have targeted the Amager golf course for transformation. Just last October, the Alternative party proposed investigating how to create more wild nature connected to Amager Fælled. Their proposal specifically mentioned examining possibilities for establishing wild nature at the Royal Golf Center site.
That earlier proposal suggested contacting the state about the land ownership situation. The matter was referred to the city's Economic Committee for further study.
Copenhagen's ongoing debate about green space reflects broader urban planning challenges. The city faces pressure to balance recreational areas with nature conservation. Protected lands like the golf course property present unique opportunities for environmental restoration.
The proposed Amager nature park would represent a significant shift in land use policy. Converting a private golf course to public natural space aligns with Copenhagen's climate adaptation goals. Such projects typically require careful negotiation between municipal, state, and private interests.
Local residents and environmental groups have long advocated for more accessible natural areas. The golf course transformation could provide new recreational opportunities while enhancing biodiversity. The outcome will depend on complex negotiations about land valuation and compensation.
The timing coincides with increasing public demand for urban nature access. Many European cities are reevaluating how privileged land uses serve broader community needs. This Copenhagen golf course debate mirrors similar discussions happening in other Nordic capitals about optimal land use in growing cities.