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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Copenhagen has officially become the world’s most livable city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit — just as housing prices in the Danish capital reach record highs
• In June 2025, apartment prices surged to an average of 62,170 DKK per square meter (approximately $900 per square foot), highlighting a growing affordability challenge even amid urban success
• In the affluent suburb of Hellerup, sales averaged nearly $2,600 per square foot
🔭 The context: Over the past two decades, Copenhagen has undergone a significant urban transformation, revitalizing post-industrial zones such as Nordhavn and Carlsberg City
• The completion of a major metro line has further connected these emerging neighborhoods
• Simultaneously, Denmark has gained heightened political visibility, assuming the EU Council Presidency in July 2025 — a role that amplifies Copenhagen’s symbolic and functional prominence in Europe.
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Copenhagen is frequently cited as a global model for sustainable urban design, walkability, and green infrastructure
• However, its escalating real estate prices pose challenges for social equity and inclusivity
• If left unaddressed, housing affordability may undercut the city’s reputation for livability and hinder broader adoption of its planning principles in other cities aiming to emulate its success
⏭️ What’s next: Copenhagen’s government faces the dual task of preserving quality of life while curbing speculative pressures and ensuring broad housing access
• Policy attention may turn to affordable housing mandates, rent stabilization, and sustainable development incentives in newly urbanized areas
• As the city hosts key EU dialogues during its presidency, housing equity could emerge as part of a broader European conversation on livability, climate resilience, and urban competitiveness
💬 One quote: “Copenhagen’s livability is real — but so is the risk that it becomes a city only the wealthy can afford to live in.” — Urban policy analyst, Danish Architecture Center
📈 One stat: In 2025, the average apartment price in Copenhagen reached a historic peak of 62,170 DKK per square meter, up more than 8% year-over-year, according to Boligsiden
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