Introduction and facts about the Infrastructure

Denmark’s main transport infrastructure consists of two networks and a number of important terminals and gateways. Each network includes general and subsidiary transport links and both roads and railways form key axes within the country’s transport systems. One general network consists of the main highways, approx. 900 kilometres of which form the key axes. The other network is the rail network whose main axes extend for approx. 800 kilometres. The two main networks each form a Big H and they virtually overlap. The Big H forms Denmark’s main structure. Copenhagen Airport is the main terminal and a hub of European significance.

The largest transport ports are Copenhagen, Fredericia, Århus and Esbjerg, but none of the Danish ports is of European significance. In addition to Copenhagen Airports and the largest ports, a number of gateways are important access entrances to the country. Land transport has gateways at Padborg (to Germany) and Copenhagen (to Sweden) and sea transport at Frederikshavn, Hirtshals, Esbjerg, Rødby and Elsinore.

The total road network in Denmark extends for approx. 96,000 kilometres. Together with a number of other highways, the 900 kilometres of motorway of the main axis form a network between all major towns and gateways with a total length of approx. 3,800 kilometres. In addition, there are roads of regional or local significance and an extensive road network within the individual urban areas. The main railways are supplemented with a secondary network establishing rail links to many of the country’s towns as well as the international gateways.

Structural map of Denmark 2007. two major urban areas and other cities are circled. the main infrastructure axes are indicated and peripheral areas are shown with dotted lines. Ministry for the Environment: "National Planning Report 2007"

In addition, Greater Copenhagen has a well-developed local commuter train system. The total rail network is approx. 2,600 kilometres long. Denmark has 124 ports in total. Some of these are international goods transport hubs, others are fishing centres and yet others handle national and foreign ferry transport.

The Danish air transport hierarchy is dominated by a strong main centre in Copenhagen. In addition, eight smaller airports have regular services. These are mostly to Copenhagen, but one airport, Billund, has developed a regional route network to European cities.

Denmark’s urban system includes one international metropolis – Greater Copenhagen – which with 1.8 million inhabitants is one of the dynamos on the European continent. The city is a network hub, an international service centre, a university city and Denmark’s capital. Greater Copenhagen is also part of a border-crossing integration project with the centres Malmö and Lund in Southern Sweden. This project was energised by the opening of the bridge between Denmark and Sweden to traffic in 2000. It will lift the

Southern Scandinavian urban region to an even higher level within the European urban system. No other Danish city reaches the sub-metropolitan level of large European urban units, but four cities play a role as regional centres alongside Greater Copenhagen: Århus, the triangle area (Vejle, Kolding and Fredericia), Odense and Aalborg.

The regional centres each have 150,000-300,000 inhabitants. The next level of the urban hierarchy includes urban regions with 30,000-150,000 inhabitants. There are eight of those: Esbjerg-Ribe, Herning-Ikast-Holstebro-Struer, Sønderborg-Åbenrå, Randers, Horsens, Silkeborg, Næstved and Viborg.

The rest of the country is dominated by small towns and rural districts, including peripheral areas, a medium-sized island (Bornholm), small islands (Ærø, Samsø, Læsø, Fanø) and very small populated islands (approx. 75). To the picture of the Danish urban system should be added that the band of East Jutland towns from Århus to the triangle area aims to create a joint city region, which can play a more significant European role.

The Great Belt East Bridge. The final missing link between the Danish islands opened to traffic in 1998. The motorway bridge is part of the fixed link between Zealand and Funen. This crowned a century’s efforts to connect the Danish islands with the European continent. The 6,790 metre long suspension bridge with 67 metre clearance has a span of 1,624 metres. Photo: Dissing+Weitling.

Denmark is a small, prosperous country which aspires to develop its infrastructure to a high level. People have to be able to get from A to B quickly, effectively, comfortably, safely and cheaply. The country has to be cohesive, with the rail network and main roads forming an overall structure. The urban regions have to function well – also during the rush hour – and congestion therefore has to be reduced to an acceptable level.

However, Denmark is geographically located where land and marine transport networks intersect and where important trade routes between the European continent and the Nordic countries are concentrated. This location is a challenge because transit transport is a burden on the environment, but also offers an opportunity for development and growth, because the transport network hubs are excellent location points.

Christian Wichmann Matthiessen, Professor of Geography, University of Copenhagen

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