Prevue September/October 2011 - (Page 30)

Below: Copenhagen “Through its activities at various levels, HafenCity is already regarded as an international model project for ecological sustainable urban development,” says Jürgen Bruns-Berentelg, chief executive of HafenCity. “The new pavilion is a source of motivation to regard sustainability not as a technical solution, but as a strategic approach.” HafenCity isn’t a household travel destination now but it will be in summer 2013 when the Elbphilharmonie opens. Punctuating the end of the city’s most visible pier, this outrageously confident concert hall is an instant global icon, designed by the swaggering Swiss firm, Herzog & de Meuron. Here’s where it gets good. Atop the structure, The Westin Hamburg opens in July 2013 with 244 rooms and 9,000 sf of meeting space. We’ll keep you updated on this one. ‘COPENHAGENIZATION’ Like many metropolises, Copenhagen has challenges with traffic congestion. Except here they have “bike jams,” where people ring their bells in frustration if you’re going too slow in the fast lane. That’s right, there are not one but two bike lanes rimming the streets, along with little bike lane traffic lights. The city has been so successful building bike paths in fact, urban planners around the world use the term “Copenhagenization” to refer to the process of building more livable cities. We learned firsthand that it only takes one curt ding-aling from behind before visitors realize they need to get with the program here, where over half of the people bike to work. “And it is such a beautiful way to see our city because you can be spontaneous and follow your heart,” says Maria Oldenbjerg, director of sales at the 542-room Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen. We checked in here last year, impressed with the bright efficient rooms and amazing views. Radisson overlooks the central island of Christianshavn, a leafy residential/business district with an upscale bohemian vibe highlighted by the Copenhagen Opera House and Noma, named World’s Best Restaurant for the second year running. Conference capacity is 2,150 pax. VisitCopenhagen suggests planners hook up with Climate Consortium Denmark (CCD) for a series of “EnergyTours,” where groups can learn from world leaders in sustainability. They offer top management, tech groups, civil servants, etc., a behindthe-scenes look at the inner workings of the industry, including a tour to the top of a windmill. For more casual tours, CCD packages day programs to susty restaurants and facilities like the Lindoe Offshore Renewables Center for insight into some of the most cutting edge renewable R+D in existence. These and similar facilities are working with an aim to make Copenhagen the world’s first carbon neutral city by 2025. 30 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue September/October 2011

Back Bay, Boston
Manchester
Meliá Hotels & Resorts
San Francisco/Denver/Cleveland
HSMAI + Soles4Souls
IRF/MGM Resorts, Las Vegas
Daytona Beach
Sustainability: The Next Big Thing
Central America
India
Sweden
Barcelo Resorts/Samana, DR
Portland

Prevue September/October 2011