Takeaways from the Danish Real World Lab during the DIRECTED General Assembly
Authors: Julia Kraatz and Martin Pontius
The Danish Real World Lab
With its extensive and picturesque coastline stretching 7300 km along the North and Baltic Sea, Denmark is a desirable place to live and visit. It is estimated that 40 percent of the Danish population lives within 3 km of the coast, which includes urban areas, holiday homes, and recreational areas (1).
However, as global emissions rise and extreme weather events increase in both their frequency and intensity, much of Denmark’s coastal populations are under threat. During the DIRECTED General Assembly, held in the Copenhagen Capital Region of Denmark, from September 2-4, 2025, we were able to take a closer look at how one such area, the Roskilde Fjord, faces the challenges posed by extreme weather events. By meeting stakeholders on the ground, we were able to further examine how technical developments might help municipalities along the Fjord with their climate change adaptation (CCA) plans, to create a more cohesive, informed, and safer future.
