The Ferris wheel is a sign that the city welcomes attractions and events, officials say
Copenhagen’s most recognisable symbol has long been the Little Mermaid. But the diminutive sculpture on Copenhagen’s waterfront might need to begin sharing the stage with a new attraction when it comes to symbolising a new mindset at City Hall.
The 50 metre Ferris wheel currently standing on Axeltorv Square should be seen as a sign of how easy it is for event organisers to be given permission to hold events, according to Hugo Præstegaard, an area manager for the city.
‘Three or four years ago it was more difficult to get things approved,’ he said. ‘It has taken time to change things, but we’ve succeeded.’
He called the Ferris wheel, Scandinavia’s largest, a sign that Copenhagen had ‘opened up’ to major events.
The attraction, set up by the London-based Great City Atrractions, will only be in place for three months, but Præstegaard said the city may consider whether a Ferris wheel should be built permanently.
Few objections were raised during public hearings about the Ferris wheel’s temporary placement, but according to Præstegaard obtaining approval for a permanent placement could prove more difficult after residents had lived with the Ferris wheel for three months.He added that it was also likely a new location would need to be found.
The current location at Axeltorv Square was chosen because it was one of the few places in the city where the Ferris wheel would not interfere with powerlines. Nevertheless, the Ferris wheel initially caused problems with the IP telephone system used by the near-by Commerce and Companies Agency.
The Ferris wheel’s opening was also delayed due to fears that the ground would not be able to support it.