Principles for near-station urban development
Three urban planning principles
Metroselskabet has gathered knowledge and experience regarding passengers’ travel habits and how they use urban spaces and access routes in the areas surrounding the stations.
The findings highlight how deliberate priorities in urban development around station areas can influence passenger numbers and provide more residents and businesses with easier access to public transit, a more vibrant urban life, and better utilization of the significant investments in public transit infrastructure.
We have therefore developed three urban strategic principles that can serve as inspiration for the development of new urban areas with metro service when planning housing, businesses, educational institutions, recreational areas, and much more.
Read a detailed explanation of the urban strategic principles here, or get a quick overview below.
The City and the Railway – A Partnership with Potential?
In March 2026, DI, DSB, DTU, the Danish Association of Architects, and Metroselskabet held a conference on urban development near train stations.
Find presentations and materials here
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Urban planning principles for new
urban areas served by the Metro
Summarize
Half of the travel time takes place outside the Copenhagen Metro. By increasing the density of development around stations with housing, workplaces, and educational institutions, more people can reduce their travel time, and the range of a trip increases within a specific time frame, such as 10 minutes or an hour.
Research shows that housing, workplaces, and educational institutions generate the most metro trips. For example, housing generates up to about 20 times as many metro trips as parking facilities.
Connect
9 out of 10 passengers walk to and from the metro station.
If urban planning has taken into account attractive connections to and from the station, this has a positive impact on the station’s passenger potential and on how likely people are to use public transportation.
Wide sidewalks, urban greenery, good bike paths separated from car and pedestrian traffic, safe intersections, sufficient bike parking, and many other factors play a role in determining whether the station is used to a greater or lesser extent.
Assets
Perceived travel time matters more than actual travel time; in other words, a positive travel experience encourages people to walk farther.
That is why it is important to focus on outward-facing features on ground floors, pleasant urban spaces, and vibrant urban life along the route to and from the station.
Attractive urban spaces and squares, parks, and gathering places thus expand the catchment area, increase the perceived sense of safety, and encourage more people to use the Copenhagen Metro—especially on weekends and outside of rush hour.
Photo: Praksis Arkitekter for Solstra