Water's ways

'ØHjem' re-envisions the Ramsø Dale (Ramsødalen) as a key component in shaping the way to a greener and bluer Capital Region. The 25 km long regenerative river dale forms a crucial ecological and hydrological corridor between the Roskilde and Køge ‘fingers’ of the Copenhagen Finger Plan. By 2045, the greater region of Copenhagen is expecting a population increase of 200.000 residents. This project is a direct response to the capital's expanding metropolitan area, and proposes a new narrative, where the Ramsø Dale becomes the key driver for climate adapation, biodiversity restoration, and resilient urban-rural densification.

Lowlying soil define an important feature in our changing landscape. A 150m protective buffer ensures that the minimal existing nature types that inhabit the lowlying soil will not only be perserved, but expand into thriving bog meadows across the wetlands. A re-meandering of the streams, Kornerup Å and Langvad Å, restores the natural water flow, fostering diverse microhabitats that coexist within a self-sustaining ecological system. From small-scale insects hovering the meadow to large wild grazing animals aerating and enriching the soil on the sloped landscapes. These natural processes help restore the land as a water-absorbing sponge while enhancing its potential as a sustainable carbon storage system. To further support this transformation, the agricultural draining will be ended, pumps deactivated, and agroforestry and regenerative farming introduced, creating a dynamic mosaic landscape that boosts biodiversity, mitigates floods, and strengthens ecosystem resilience.

‍

A new, fully train-accessible recreational route transforms the Ramsø Dale into a flourishing meeting point between historical milestones and high-tech learning hubs for the future. Visitors arriving by train from both ends experience a landscape in motion, where free-flowing Danish nature merges with cultural heritage and innovation. Old farms are repurposed into regenerative businesses, hotels, cafés, and shelters, offering places to rest and reflect. Along the route, birdwatching towers, learning spaces, land art, and medieval artifacts, weave together a rich narrative of the land’s past and present.

The organic yet precise shape of the low-lying wetlands highlights the protected hilltop 'islands' in a vast riversystem. These elevated areasshowcase how humans can coexist with nature, pioneering regenerative living models that seek to balance environmental synergy with modern needs.

The largest of the 'islands', with origins dating back to the Middle Ages, lies at the heart of the plan. The water-enclosed village and its medieval name, Ø-hem (meaning "island home"), reflect Denmark's historic tradition of settling near water, nature, and terrain, shaped by centuries of wetlands and streams.

We envision a dynamic return to this legacy, reimagined for the future. New housing models embrace Integrated Living Communities, where regenerative agricultural practices, high-tech solutions, and social inclusivity converge. This vision for Øm blends its historical roots with a forward-thinking approach to low impact living, offering a model for resilient, self-sustaining sharing communities.

Through innovative aquaponics, circular urban design, and collective farming, Øm will become a beacon of a regenerative transition comprising climate adaptation, biodiversity restoration, and green urban development—paving the way for a better future within the rapidly growing Greater Copenhagen area.