Article authored by:
Gina Caruso, AICP, LPM, Chicago Region Chapter
Gina brings a unique understanding of business districts with a proven track record of results from her background in economic development, urban planning, real estate, and small business. As a certified urban planner (AICP), licensed real estate broker, and certified Leadership in Place Management (LPM) practitioner, she specializes in neighborhood economic development and leverages her referral network to support the success of her clients, which include municipalities, landlord and tenants. Clients benefit from Gina’s understanding of their goals and finding strategic and creative solutions for them thorough sound data, listening, and insights into clients’ communities and organizations.
Happiness, Hygge and High Design:
An LAI Member’s Inspiration to attend the Copenhagen Regional Study Tour
We all have our “happy place”, but travelling to an entire country considered by the World Happiness Report as one of the happiest places on earth brings a whole new meaning to a “happy place”. My destination was Copenhagen in March, just at the time LAI announced the Regional Study Tour there in May, and I reached out to Morten Jensen, one of the program organizers to get insights on how to experience Copenhagen.
Born in Copenhagen, Morten returned there to live after years in the San Francisco Bay Area, and his distinctive Danish/Cali accent engages you when he speaks so enthusiastically about transformations happening Copenhagen. And it’s obvious why when you experience Copenhagen. It’s both a City in transition and one with a longstanding continuity of culture. It’s a magical combination of high design and hygge (the delightful Danish term for “wellbeing” – think cozy sweater, cocoa, and candlelight).
Morten, Robert Maguire, and the LAI team have put together a well-curated experience to really understand and enjoy Copenhagen. To experience the BLOXHUB alone would be worth the trip, with it’s refreshing co-tenancy of the Danish Architecture museum, co-working space, and a fitness center, all nested elegantly next to the canal. I encourage anyone who has the time to go to this fantastic program and city. Copenhagen is incredibly easy to navigate and is very compact, making it easy to get a sense of the city in a short stay. And you don’t want to miss the opportunity to be in one of the happiest places on earth.
To register for the Regional Study Tour in Copenhagen, click HERE.
Gina and Morten in the BOXHUB shared working office |
Morten with an amazing map of Copenhagen in the DAC (Danish Architecture Museum) |
Photos courtesy of Gina Caruso
