Founded in the local qualities and potentials, Lolland municipality seeks to strengthen the villages Bandholm and Hunseby-Maglemer. The Gate is to be Lolland’s new trademark and bring attention to the splendor of the Danish Southern Island.

The winning proposal “Stories of Lolland” focuses on the meeting between the guests of Knuthenborg Safaripark and the two village communities. The villages are to interact, as well as function separately, based on their distinctive historic and cultural identity.
The project’s strategy is concerned in dealing with specific focus areas in each village and establishing better pedestrian and cycling pathways between the two. The approach accentuates the existing landscape and cultural-historical qualities, as well as allowing added space for gatherings and experiences. Imperative to the strategy is the involvement and collaboration with the local communities to enable a high standard of quality throughout the project development.

One focus area is the Bandholm Waterfront where a plaza is proposed to create a central meeting place at the harbour. Another focus area is new parking facilities combined with a self-pick orchard in Hunseby-Maglemer; enticing more people to walk and cycle in Knuthenborg Safaripark and in the villages. The two villages are tied together with a bicycle track along the existing routing of a road.

The jury praises the proposal for pointing towards realistic development potentials. They write: “The winning proposal defines The Gate to Lolland through inviting village communities, substantiating the existing qualities. The proposal’s simple approach to the challenges and eye for where to focus makes it possible to initiate specific activities in the area that the inhabitants and stakeholders after a long process are eager to embark on.”

“The Gate to Lolland” is part of “Land of Opportunities” – a joint venture project between Lolland Municipality, Thisted Municipality, Bornholm Region Municipality and Realdania for the development of Denmark’s rural and remote areas.