The City of Frederiksberg is a modern, metropolitan local authority with the characteristics of a major city. First and foremost, however, is a residential area with all service provisions included. The many parks and leisure facilities in the city provide the Capital with a green oasis characterised by a special, historic charm.
Frederiksberg's area is nine square kilometres, which makes it the smallest and the most densely populated local authority in the country, with a density of about 10,000 inhabitants per square kilometre.
History in short
Frederiksberg's history dates back to 1651 when King Frederik III gave 20 peasants of Dutch origin from Amager the right to settle and cultivate the previously royal land around Allégade. King Frederik IV built Frederiksberg Castle between 1699 and 1703 as a country residence for the royal family. At the same time the city at the foot of the castle hill became known as Frederiksberg.
Frederiksberg was given its local self-government in 1858, and it rapidly began to grow in population. From 1919, the authority appointed its own mayor and city council. From the beginning of the 20th Century and in the following 40-50 years the urban development continued in Frederiksberg. Around 1950 the city was almost fully developed and the number of citizens reached 120.000 - the highest ever. Frederiksberg was - and still is - characterized by extensive villa districts and spacious blocks of flats.
Here you can read a more detailed description of the history of Frederiksberg.
Development and change
Although Frederiksberg appears to be a fully developed city, it is still a place of continuous change. As a consequence of the improved infrastructure (the Metro, the Circular Line and busses), the areas around the new stations (i.e. Forum, Frederiksberg, Fasanvej, Lindevang and Flintholm) have undergone and are still undergoing a rapid development.
The new Frederiksberg Gymnasium, the extension to the existing Library and the new Falkoner Cinema Centre are examples of this development. Shops and housing are under construction bringing life and activities to the area.Copenhagen Business School (CBS) has in 2006 opened a new building for teaching and research purposes. A green campus has been created outside the CBS combining the two stations Frederiksberg and Fasanvej; designed to maintain Frederiksberg as an environmentally orientated city.
Urban renewal
The city of Frederiksberg is responsible for a large part of the urban landscape such as roads, green zones, public transport, the fire services and the environmental protection. The city has supervised a very careful and sensitive restoration of some of its many older buildings. This urban renewal will continue, combined with new construction for both residential and business purposes.
Around Flintholm Station a whole new area with industry and housing is being established. This area will have shops, restaurants and cafes, housing for the young and the old, squares, parks, industry and public institutions and a shopping centre. To accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, a green cycle- and footpath has been built in the local area. The path is passing through green zones and provides road safety for many people travelling across the city.
Frederiksberg Have and Søndermarken are two centrally placed parks next to the ZOO, which is currently being enlarged by a new elephant house designed by Norman Foster and a new "savanna" bordering Frederiksberg Have.
In the coloumn to the left you find links with detailed information about the local authority of Frederiksberg.
