Urban Partners & Sweco: Turning global sustainability goals into built reality
UN17 Village in Copenhagen is a pioneering housing project that translates all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into a residential building project. Developed by Urban Partners and designed by Sweco Architects, it combines social diversity, circular materials, and innovative approaches to construction, creating a living model for more sustainable, community-driven urban life.
A village designed for sustainable living
UN17 Village is unique in its ability to translate global sustainability goals into everyday living. Instead of addressing one or two environmental targets, the project systematically integrates all 17 SDGs into both architecture and community design. The result is not a single “green building” but a living ecosystem where sustainability, health, and social inclusion are interconnected.
The project consists of five distinct buildings, each expressing its own social and material identity. Together, they form a compact “village” that creates a sense of belonging and diversity. Circular and sustainable principles are embedded throughout, from locally sourced, reused tiles on the façade to visible recycled materials in staircases. The village also includes the tallest wooden residential building in Denmark (at time of construction).
Beyond construction methods, the project rethinks how people live together. Shared kitchens, community spaces, and a dedicated community manager foster interaction. Health and well-being are embedded in homes through features like clean-air materials, filtered ventilation, and layouts designed for daylight, movement, and comfort. One of the buildings obtained a Well Platinum Certification, and the project also earned DGNB Platinum and DGNB Heart certifications.
The UN17 Village functions as an open lab for sustainable practices in the built environment, testing new solutions and implementing 200 of them in the final project. It demonstrates that large-scale housing can prioritise sustainability while remaining deeply human. The project provides a replicable model for cities worldwide, showing how architecture can improve lives, enhance ecosystems, and make sustainability tangible in everyday living.
We wanted an approach to sustainability that went beyond the green and climate-friendly element. This includes a focus on residents' health and well-being. We also wanted to promote community, biodiversity and generate electricity locally. That’s what we achieved with the UN17 Village.
About Urban Partners and Sweco Architects
Urban Partners and Sweco Architects joined forces to create UN17 Village, uniting visionary investment with innovative design. Urban Partners drove the ambition to translate all UN goals into practice, while Sweco transformed that vision into architecture, balancing sustainability, community, and aesthetics. Their collaboration proves that bold partnerships can turn global ideals into real, livable places. Lendager, SLA, Artelia and CG Jensen also contributed to the project.