One of Copenhagen's new streets will be named after Mykolaiv

The Nordhavn district in Copenhagen. Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj

One of Copenhagen's new streets will be named after Mykolaiv — Mykolajivgade. It will be located in the Nordhavn district of Østerbro, where a new street network is currently being developed.

The decision was made by Copenhagen's Committee on Climate, Technology and Environment, according to the Danish publication TV 2 Kosmopol.

One of the committee members confirmed that the names have already been agreed upon. All parties represented in the committee voted in favour of the decision, with the exception of the Conservative Party.

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In total, seven new streets will appear in this area in honour of Ukrainian cities: Kyivgade, Mariupolgade, Ukrainegade, Sevastapolgade, Khersongade, Mykolajivgade and Odesagade.

Ukrainian port cities were chosen for Nordhavn because the area has a distinct maritime character, and such names correspond to the concept of the new part of the city.

At the same time, Mykolaiv already has a Danish Street and a Danish Solidarity Square, symbolising mutual support between Ukraine and Denmark.

Denmark's cooperation with Mykolaiv

Back in March 2022, President Zelenskyy called on Denmark to take «patronage» over Mykolaiv after the end of the war. Already in August, the mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkevych, and the Danish minister, Flemming Mortensen, signed a memorandum on working on reconstruction projects and attracting international investors. The city also has a Danish Embassy office and a youth centre.

In January 2023, Ukrainian and Danish representatives met in Mykolaiv to plan the further reconstruction of the city.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Mykolaiv region has received €340 million in aid from international partners, of which Denmark has provided around €170 million.

In total, about 60% of the aid goes to Mykolaiv, according to Ambassador Ole Mikkelsen. He also presented a vision for post-war reconstruction with comfortable pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

Denmark supports the modernisation of shipbuilding, the reconstruction of the Mykola Arkas Lyceum and residential areas damaged by shelling, the replacement of water networks in the city, and is also transferring equipment. Danish investors also plan to build social housing in Mykolaiv.

In addition, the creation of a Danish quarter or park is being discussed. At that time, the Danish Ambassador to Ukraine, Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, said he supported the idea, provided that a street in Denmark was named after Mykolaiv.

Deputy Mayor Serhii Korenev said that Denmark plans to help Mykolaiv over the next 10 years, investing around €75 million annually and moving away from «quick projects».