How about we unravel the tale of a municipality that transformed from a village to a vibrant suburb: Glostrup Municipality? It is located just 10 km west of Copenhagen. Let’s dive into its story.
Glostrup Municipality’s history stretches back to 1841. It began as a parish municipality. Suburbanisation changed its status to a town municipality in 1950. The population doubled between 1947 and 1960. This surge came as Copenhagen’s suburbs expanded after the war. Glostrup became a designated suburb along the western Tåstrup-finger. This was part of the Copenhagen Finger Plan of 1947.
The heart of Glostrup Municipality is the town of Glostrup. It houses three-quarters of the municipality’s residents. Other towns include Hvissinge and Ejby. Avedøre was once part of Glostrup. It was an exclave until 1974. Then, it merged into Hvidovre Municipality. Glostrup neighbors Rødovre to the east. Herlev and Ballerup lie to the north. Albertslund is to the west and Brøndby to the south.
Unlike some municipalities, Glostrup remained independent in 2007. This was due to the nationwide Kommunalreformen or “The Municipality Reform”. The church of Glostrup dates back to the 12th century.
Glostrup’s municipal council has 19 members. They are elected every four years.
Glostrup decided to build a new town hall in 1953. Arne Jacobsen won the architectural competition. The town hall opened in 1959.
Glostrup’s economy thrives with diverse employment. There are twice as many jobs within its borders as its workforce. It balances traditional industry, commerce, and public institutions. Glostrup Hospital is the largest employer. It has 2,500 employees. Vestforbrænding in Ejby is Denmark’s largest incineration plant. Major companies like Pandora and Kopenhagen Fur are based here. International companies like Grontmij and Motorola Solutions also have Danish subsidiaries in Glostrup.
Much of Glostrup’s housing was built between 1950 and 1975. Public housing corporations own 42 percent of the dwellings. Glostrup Boligselskab was formed in 1943. It was founded by mayor Valdemar Hansen. More than half the housing stock is between 60 and 99 square meters.
Glostrup Municipality aimed to build 2,000 new dwellings. This was a strategy adopted in 2011. The focus was on detached and terraced houses. These were planned in former industrial areas.
The largest greenspace is Vestskoven. It straddles the border with Albertslund. Most of its 13 square kilometers lie there. The West Rampart marks the eastern boundary. Ejby Bog is in the northeastern corner near Ballerup.
Glostrup’s population has changed over the years. There was a drop after Avedøre transferred to Hvidovre Municipality in 1974.
Glostrup has twin towns. They are Kotka, Finland and Landskrona, Sweden.
Glostrup’s story is one of growth. It shifted from a small village to a modern suburb. It embraces industry, community and green spaces.