Imagine a waterway with a troubled past. That’s Erdkehlgraven. It is located between Refshalevej and Frederiksholm west of Christiania in Copenhagen. Erdkehlgraven borders Laboratoriegraven to the south. Tømmergraven and Maskingraven are to the northwest.
The name Erdkehlgraven has German roots. “Kehl” means the part of a fortification facing away from the enemy. “Erd” is German for earth. So, Erdkehlgraven translates to “earth throat”. It sits between Holmen and the row of bastions facing Amager. Thus, it lies against the bastions’ throats.
Erdkehlgraven came into being during the creation of Nyværk from 1682 to 1692. After 1692, Erdkehlgraven gradually shrank as Holmen expanded.
Once, Erdkehlgraven was home to Fredens Havn. This was a self-regulated floating community. It began in 2006. The Coastal Authority deemed it illegal in 2015. Supporters saw it as an experiment in climate adaptation and alternative living. Opponents complained about pollution and sunken boats. They noted repeated orders to remove the boats were ignored.
The municipality and state wanted Fredens Havn cleared. Many boats and structures were sunken and abandoned. In early 2019, they agreed on a cleanup. The Coastal Authority issued a four-week notice on February 7 and 8. Owners were told to remove their property. If they didn’t, the removal would be put out for tender. The cleanup was expected to cost around 25 million kroner. The Ministry of Environment and Food would provide 15 million kroner. The municipality would contribute 10 million kroner. The municipality was ready to help the affected residents. Most were socially vulnerable.
Owners did not remove their boats as ordered. The public cleanup was delayed. Finally, in December 2019, the cleanup was put out for tender. The deadline was January 16, 2020. The removal of boats and platforms began on April 15, 2020. Some owners had come forward. The Coastal Authority reported the remaining owners to the police. They had not complied with the order. By early June 2020, about 70 of 140 boats and wrecks were gone. Seven residents protested the cleanup. The Coastal Authority had to wait for their complaints to be processed. Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor Frank Jensen was pleased with the cleanup. He called the area a maritime junkyard in a beautiful natural area. He and Environment Minister Lea Wermelin wanted to prevent a similar situation from arising again.
In August 2020, the Copenhagen City Court issued five judgments. Residents of Fredens Havn were fined. They had failed to comply with the orders. They faced further monthly fines until the boats were removed. The decision was appealed to the Eastern High Court. Residents argued they did not function well in apartments. They claimed removing the boats violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This article concerns the right to respect for one’s home. The High Court rejected this argument in May 2021. It largely upheld the City Court’s judgment. In summer 2021, about ten people lived in Fredens Havn. When the Coastal Authority started the final cleanup on January 4, 2022, only a handful remained. All had been offered alternative housing. The boats were taken to a storage site.
Erdkehlgraven’s story reflects a constant tension. It is between alternative lifestyles and regulatory oversight. Its evolution shows Copenhagen’s changing relationship with its waterways.