Copenhagen’s UN17 Village: An Urban Development Model Addressing all the SDGs

The UN17 Village is the first large-scale urban development project of its kind to incorporate all 17 SDGs. Led by Urban Partners, the project provides a new model for urban development that prioritizes the needs of inhabitants, and creates thriving communities in greater balance with their environment.

The project aims to reduce the development’s climate footprint and create quality homes without over-using Earth’s scarce resources. It is organized around six key sustainability themes: building materials, community, physical and mental health, biodiversity, utilization of water, and renewable energy sources.

The project will be DGNB-certified to Gold/Platinum level, DGNB Heart, and WELL, setting new standards for Danish residential buildings. It will deliver 1,700m² of solar panels, and collect over 1 million litres of rainwater per year for recycling and recreational use. The project’s CO₂ reduction is expected to exceed 2023 Danish Building Regulations by 30%.

Urban Partners is Co-Chair of the Bloomberg New Economy Dynamic Cities Coalition, and this case study is a leading example of a holistic and sustainable approach to urban development, which has been included in the Dynamic Cities Dashboard.