Climate adaptation project in Denmark

Since 2020, SYSTRA has been supporting this project, which is transforming technical basins into hydraulic, landscape, and urban infrastructure capable of managing water volumes more effectively, improving water treatment, and contributing to the quality of public spaces.

Presented as the largest system of its kind in the Nordic region, the project includes the reconstruction of an existing basin near the residential district of Vejledalen, as well as the creation of a second basin on a neighbouring site.

This project demonstrates SYSTRA’s commitment to delivering sustainable, forward-looking infrastructure. We are proud to be supporting Ishøj Forsyning and Ishøj Municipality in this vital initiative to adapt to climate change and roll out a solution that enhances resilience, reduces the environmental impact of stormwater management and helps to enhance the urban landscape.

Martin Vilhelmsen, Head of the Water, Environment & Land Use Department, SYSTRA Denmark

The challenge is particularly significant for Ishøj Forsyning, the local operator in charge of water services across the municipality. The local authority must meet increasingly strict requirements regarding stormwater discharge, while the space available does not allow for the use of traditional treatment basins with a permanent water volume. The project therefore serves as a pilot scheme to test new solutions adapted to the site’s constraints and the city’s future needs.

Within this framework, SYSTRA Denmark has supported Ishøj Forsyning and the Municipality of Ishøj on stormwater management, treatment, and climate adaptation solutions. In particular, the teams carried out a functional analysis covering treatment performance, discharge criteria, and water treatment capacity. The lessons learned from the project are expected to inform future operations and contribute to the development of a catalogue of solutions to meet upcoming regulatory requirements.

Technical infrastructure integrated into the city

Beyond its hydraulic function, the project also carries a strong urban ambition. Located in a highly visible area, connected to the arrival of the tramway at Ishøj Stationsvej and Ishøj Strandvej, the delivered basin is intended to help create a new gateway to the city. Its landscape design draws inspiration from Ishøj’s coastal setting, as well as from the local flora and fauna, with the aim of making this infrastructure a more welcoming space for residents, users, and local communities.

Sustainability objectives

Sustainability was also integrated from the project’s tendering process as a central award criterion. In close dialogue with Ishøj Forsyning, SYSTRA Denmark worked on optimising solutions, particularly the management and reuse of excavated soil, as well as reducing material transport and fuel consumption. These requirements helped limit the project’s environmental impact while also documenting the solutions implemented.

Water: a key adjacent market for SYSTRA’s development

In light of growing needs in the area of climate resilience, water management represents a key adjacent market for SYSTRA, building on its expertise in engineering, complex infrastructure and sustainable land-use planning.