Artificial 3D-printed coral reefs have been installed in Copenhagen Harbour at Sundkaj in Nordhavn, aiming to boost marine biodiversity in the urban waterfront.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday, is a collaboration between WWF Denmark (WWF Verdensnaturfonden), the company StoneReefs, and By & Havn, the public agency managing the harbour. The reefs are based on winning designs created by local school students as part of a competition held before the summer holidays.
From competition to harbour installation
The selected reef designs were transformed into physical structures using 3D-printing technology and mounted on the sheet pile walls of the harbour. Unlike flat concrete or metal surfaces, the artificial reefs create sheltered spaces and habitats for a variety of marine species. According to WWF, the aim is to transform otherwise “dead” harbour surfaces into thriving underwater environments.
The Danish company StoneReefs specialises in creating artificial reef systems to promote biodiversity in coastal and harbour areas. By combining WWF’s conservation expertise with StoneReefs’ engineering solutions, the project demonstrates how innovative urban design can support ecological restoration even in highly developed settings like Copenhagen’s Nordhavn.
Marine biodiversity in urban waters
Copenhagen Harbour has undergone significant environmental improvements in recent decades, shifting from industrial use to recreational and residential purposes. The introduction of 3D-printed reefs is part of a broader effort to ensure that the harbour not only remains clean but also becomes a habitat for fish, shellfish, and other marine life.
WWF Denmark emphasised that the project represents a model for other urban harbours in Europe seeking to integrate biodiversity initiatives with urban development. If successful, similar reefs could be deployed across other Nordic and European coastal cities.
Towards a greener Nordhavn
Nordhavn, one of Copenhagen’s largest urban development areas, has positioned itself as a flagship for sustainable architecture and ecological innovation. The artificial reefs add an underwater dimension to this vision, linking marine conservation with urban planning. The project reflects a growing trend across the Nordic region to align environmental restoration with everyday urban spaces.
