Vejlandskvarteret, now more widely referred to as Fælledby, is a joint urban development venture near central Copenhagen overseen by By & Havn (the municipal city and port development agency) and PensionDanmark (a major Danish pension fund). The project is situated at the edge of Amager Fælled, an ecologically sensitive area previously used as a landfill and occasionally a campsite.
The core project envisions the creation of 2,000 dwellings, predominantly built using wood certified to Denmark’s highest sustainability standards. Construction is expected to occur in several phases. The masterplan includes a quarter of the homes set aside as public affordable housing, with the remainder as private rentals. Community infrastructure elements are integral to the plan: these include a school, daycare centres, senior housing, a supermarket, and small-scale retail and cafes. The neighbourhood is divided into three smaller enclaves connected by green corridors, designed so that local flora and fauna can continue traversing the area. Nearly 40% of the project’s 18.1 hectares will remain undeveloped habitat.
Fælledby has drawn persistent criticism and protest from environmental groups due to its location in a part of Amager Fælled protected until 2019. To proceed, the developers had to secure the removal of the site’s legal protection as a nature reserve. The principal design emphasizes minimal impact on the surrounding landscape, integrating features like animal passages, bird and bat nesting sites, extensive use of wood, rooftop gardens, and underground parking to reduce car traffic.
The Fælledby initiative highlights ongoing tensions in Copenhagen’s urban growth—balancing housing demands with preserving the city’s remaining wild areas.