The park has transformed eastern Amager and triggered urban development of the whole of the adjacent housing area, Amager Strandpark, around Øresund metro station. The expensive and privileged floor-space where the city meets the sea brings with it responsibility. However, the new cluster of blocks of flats has been criticized for poor-quality architecture and not adding anything to the local community spirit.

The City of Copenhagen has been berated for not imposing strict enough requirements on investors and developers. Critical voices claim that the architecture reflects a housing market driven by financial speculation, with more focus on good business than on a good city. Contractors and developers are often pension funds with primary interests in good short-term returns on their members’ assets, and their success criteria do not include creating quality architecture and added value for future generations.