Waterfront Reconnected

Hundested has always been defined by the meeting of land and sea. Once a fishing village and later an industrial harbour town, it carries the traces of both natural forces along the North Zealand coast and human activity. At the central pier, these two histories converge: the glacial landscape and the harbour’s industrial heritage. Together they form a unique synthesis of nature and culture: a foundation for shaping Hundested’s next chapter. On the basis of more than 100 citizen proposals and comments, Third Nature, together with Clement Blanchet Architecture and Hird&Ko., has been selected to lead the future development of Hundested. The project emerges from an open parallel competition in collaboration with Halsnæs Kommune, Realdania, and Dansk Kyst- og Naturturisme.

Over time, Strandvejen and Kajgade have created a barrier between the town and its waterfront, leaving an urban gap in between. The proposal’s central idea is to reorient Hundested by 90 degrees, establishing stronger east-west connections that tie the shopping street and the harbour closer together. With new passageways, green public spaces, and a continuous promenade along the quay, the town is invited to once again turn toward the water.

The project not only aims to strengthen social and cultural life but also to prepare Hundested for the future challenges of climate change. By strategically mapping water flows, the design integrates solutions for stormsurge resilience and rainwater management, turning water from a threat into a visible and valuable resource in the townscape.

Hundested stands on the threshold of a transformation where nature, community, and new destinations are woven into a coherent whole. Through carefully considered steps and a strategic approach to the urban fabric, the gaze turns back toward the water, allowing the meeting between town and coastline to become a natural part of everyday life once again. This shift draws on the place’s historic roots while looking forward with a vision shaped by sustainability and long-term resilience.

The strategic physical masterplan opens the possibility of shaping a renewed identity - one that honours the past while restoring the town’s connection to the waterfront. The ambition is to create an example of how a place can grow with a changing world by uniting nature and culture into a stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient destination for years to come.