OVERVIEW

   A TOWN PLAN IS APPROVED

2

LAPPEN SHOWS THE WAY
For decades, there were attempts to demolish a row of nine old houses and replace them with modern multi-storey buildings over at Lappen, on the outskirts of Elsinore. In 1972, however, a group of people succeeded in buying all the houses from the municipality and proceeded to renovate the dilapidated buildings. The project inspired the subsequent renovation of Elsinore town centre, which demonstrated that even very old, historical houses in poor condition could be saved and, at the same time, be updated to comply with modern standards.
lappen dame

Numbers 10-12 Lappen

MODEL 1: CENTRALISATION

Back then, Elsinore was on the threshold of a new era, where society was rapidly developing and people yearned for increased welfare and progress. Because of this, many people wanted the old town centre to be modernised. This would lead to the historical buildings being demolished so a lot more parking spaces, large shopping centres and new up-to-date housing could be established.
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Kvickly in Stjernegade

MODEL 2: DECENTRALISATION
Decentralisation would take the pressure off the town centre by moving some commercial activities to Prøvestenen, where a large modern shopping centre and lots of parking spaces could be established, and by building new residential areas outside of the town. This decentralisation model would also reduce the amount of living and commercial space needed in the town centre and would focus on preserving the many historical buildings.
Proevestenenweb
Newly-built shopping centre at Prøvestenen, 1979
INVOLVING THE PUBLIC
Between December 1971 and March 1972, the town council held a total of four public meetings, where two different models for the town centre were presented – the centralised and the decentralised models. The town council indicated that it was in favour of the decentralised model to ensure the preservation of the old town centre.
Borgermøder
Public meeting on the news, 1971-1972
THE FINAL TOWN PLAN
After drafting four versions of a town planning by-law, all of which were sent out to the residents, “By-law no. 19” was finally approved. It was signed by Mayor Ove Thelin and city engineer Chr. Steen Petersen on 8 October 1973. The plan was based on the decentralised model, partly because of the economic advantages of the plan and partly because the plan would help to ensure the historical and preservation-worthy character of the old town.
Cover of “By-law no. 19” and the mayor’s signature
PEOPLE AND THEIR OPINIONS
A sociological study, “People and Their Opinions”, from 1974 showed that the town’s residents felt it was high time that the town centre was renovated, but just as many people agreed that the town’s old houses were valuable and preservation-worthy. The study revealed that their well-being and social conditions were the most important things and that many of the residents wanted to participate in the town’s physical and socio-economic renovation of their own volition, even if they were not required to.
Porten
COURTYARDS AND GARDENS
Many of the residents in the town centre also wanted to get rid of the often dirty and poorly maintained courtyards, which were often used for small businesses and parking, and to convert them into gardens – despite the increasing number of residents in town owning cars.
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OBJECTIVES OF THE TOWN PLAN

The objectives of the new town plan were to preserve and renovate the historical environment, to change as little as possible of the existing conditions and, at the same time, to limit new housing construction.

Greater focus would be placed on housing rather than businesses by capping or reducing commercial exploitation and reducing the overall size of new constructions.

The economic benefits of carrying out the preservation and renovation of the town centre were also significant when it came to choosing the decentralised plan. Fortunately, however, it soon became clear that this model, while being the most economically advantageous, also supported the preservation and protection of the cultural heritage, which became more and more obvious as the project progressed.

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