The Copenhagen Metro is a new one...and a small one. The first stations opened in 2002 with further stations in 2003, 2004 and 2007. A total of 9 underground stations and 13 above ground on two lines with a length of 33 km make up this Metro so far with more planning being done for further lines.
Frederiksberg Metro Station...I think...The stations are all designed alike and it can be difficult to tell them apart. They are kept in grey steel and grey concrete with the same internal dimensions and the same accessories. Only the signs proclaim that this Nørreport and not Kongens Nytorv. Not a place for anyone with their mind wandering!
Only the adverts and the travellers add some colour to this grey world
Why couldn't they have done what was done in Paris; different stations that reflect the neighbourhood with lots of colours and different materials? Or like London? These grey stations are mind numbing dull! And what worse is, the planned stations will be just like these, even when finished in 20 years time!
SkylightsOn a positive note, the stations all have daylight filtered down through these glass pyramids. And after some difficulties in the beginning the trains run with very few hitches. And people are using them. It can actually be crowded during rush hour, not like London or Tokyo, but crowded to Danish standard.
"Breathe in, please!" On Kongens Nytorv
I actually love the idea of a Metro, and I think it should be extended to cover as much of Copenhagen and its suburbs as possible. I know it's expensive and will take time to build, but with the traffical situation in Copenhagen (too much traffic on too small roads, very few parking spaces, a sea of bikes and the closing of major roads) a good Metro could ease the situation a lot.
Tomorrow I'll jump a bit and show you something high and turning.
BTW these photos are the first ones shot with my new camera, a Nikon D300. The learning curve is steep, but it's a very nice camera!
Tomorrow I'll jump a bit and show you something high and turning.
BTW these photos are the first ones shot with my new camera, a Nikon D300. The learning curve is steep, but it's a very nice camera!
All the stations of the 14 Line (MetEOR) in Paris and of the Jubilee Line in London (south od Green park) are similar to the ones of brand new metro in Copenhagen.
ReplyDeleteBoth lines were inaugurated in the last decade of the last century.
I think it is a problem of safety, comfort and maintenance. Many of the old stations in both cities are often dirty (or simply uncleanable), with long flight of stairs and tight platforms.
I'm pretty sure that creativity and colours will soon find their way in your wonderful, modern, spotless metro.
You look like a pro with you new camera already!!! Great shots!!!! Wonderful metro!!!! Love this post! I especially like the metro sign/post at the top...and the shot of the train itself...more wonderful work by you! Always a pleasure to stop by~ Janine
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to know there's a modern-grey worm tunnel beneath old buildings on the ground. Why they built it different from Paris' or London's? Probably they just want it to be different.
ReplyDeleteYou've got D300! It does protect your mind from wandering.
Well the good thing is the sunlight filtered down into the Metro. And you have a Metro. We have one above ground train. Is it too late to make changes?
ReplyDeleteChris this is very interesting and informative post. As yo pointed out the Underground systems in other cities London, Paris & New York have a sense of history. It will be interesting to see how this new developement with grow and how its history will influence future design.
ReplyDeleteGreat posting - I may have to do a feature of London's Underground system.
Wonderful photo series, Chris. I tend to agree with your comments about the uniformity...but I'm too envious of the fact you have such a thing!
ReplyDeleteI use a D300 also, and absolutely love it! If you don't have the 18-200 VF lens...I'd highly recommend it...that's just about the only lens you need.
Good luck! The learning curve really isn't that steep. Get Ken Rockwell's User Guide at http://kenrockwell.com/ - it's fantastic!
@Vogon: I hope you're right that colours will appear here. And yes, the London and Paris metroes are not exactly clean, but they do have thier charm. This Metro has the charm of an operating room.
ReplyDelete@Henny: I'm sure they have looked at other metros and decided to do it this way, probably to lower cost.
@Trojan: A series about the Tube would be a great idea. I remember the stairs of Russel Sq. when I and some colleagues didn't have the patience to wait for the elevator - bad move!
@Dusty: It's never too late.
@Janine: Thanks for your nice comment:-)
@Jacob: Thanks for the link, it was most informative. Wnet out with the camera most of the weekend to get a feel for it and to find its limitations. I don't have the 18-200 mm VR lens yet. I'm using the Tamron 18-250 mm lens which is a good allround lens, but I'll put the other one on my Christmas-list:-)
@Asta: Art galleries in the Metro? Might be too progressive for the Danes:-)