Copenhagen municipal elections 2025 could reshape the city’s development model, as leading candidates propose to dissolve By & Havn and replace it with a new public entity focused on affordable housing, sustainability and local input.
What is at stake in Copenhagen 2025
Social Democrats’ frontrunner Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (R) and the Social Liberals’ lead candidate Christoffer Røhl (R) say the current setup prioritises the bottom line over public needs.
They argue a new “Copenhageners’ Housing and Harbour Company” would steer projects toward lower-cost homes, public institutions and green space, while keeping major assets under public control.
Why dissolve By & Havn now
Established in 2007 to finance and drive large-scale urban projects, By & Havn has overseen areas such as Ørestad, Nordhavn and the planned Lynetteholm peninsula.
The candidates contend that today’s challenge is no longer attracting investment but delivering homes ordinary-income residents can afford. In their view, the current mandate—optimising land sales to service infrastructure debts—has produced too many high‑priced rentals and too few schools, kindergartens and parks.
Housing affordability and building near transit
The proposal emphasises densification in existing neighbourhoods—especially near metro and S‑train stations—to increase housing supply without expanding the city’s footprint. Modest height increases and mixed-use planning would aim to deliver more affordable units, jobs and services where transport capacity already exists.
A shift for Social Democrats’ city policy
Analysts see the plan as a break with long-standing Social Democratic policy that helped create By & Havn nearly two decades ago. Rosenkrantz‑Theil frames the shift as a response to changed conditions: with Copenhagen now attractive and population pressures rising, policy should pivot from maximising land revenue to meeting basic housing needs.
Governance and legal hurdles ahead
Dissolving a joint city–state development company would require a new governance model and agreements with national authorities. The proposed entity would need a clear mandate balancing financial sustainability with social and environmental goals, including storm‑surge protection linked to Lynetteholm.
Key open questions include how to manage existing debts and contracts, and how to ensure transparency, democratic oversight and long‑term funding for infrastructure.
Election context: Copenhagen municipal elections 2025
Denmark holds municipal and regional elections on 18 November 2025. In Copenhagen, the debate over By & Havn has become a central campaign theme, with potential implications for urban development across the capital and, by extension, for Nordic approaches to city planning.
What to watch next
Voters will weigh whether a new public vehicle can deliver affordable housing while safeguarding climate resilience projects and the city’s investment capacity. Any post‑election deal will likely involve broad political backing and coordination with the national government, setting a precedent other Nordic cities may study in the years ahead.
