Skt. Hans Torv – perfectly placed towards the sun

Af Jan Gehl

I love Skt. Hans Torv in Nørrebro, also in winter. The square is part of the second wave of Copenhagen’s urban spaces policy. The first wave focused on the inner city, but then an interest developed in the urban spaces situated in the city’s residential areas. One of the first was Skt. Hans Torv, designed by the talented landscape architect Sven-Ingvar Andersson, based on a plan that pushed the cars to one side. Then, a savvy restaurant owner moved in on the corner. Café Sebastopol opened the year after the renovation in 1993 and is still there today. The distance from the city traffic combined with the ideal situation in relation to the afternoon sun and the lively café atmosphere makes Skt. Hans Torv a delightful destination.