Hellige bygninger på grænsefladen i dansk kommunalpolitik

Abstract

Physical space is challenged on the basis of aesthetic, ideo-logical, religious, environmental and economic perspectives. Buildings and structures play a prominent role in the competition for recognition between social groups. Espe-cially church structures have historically represented a city's vision for dynamic growth, status, and innovation. With migration and new religious movements' estab-lishment in Denmark, the need for new sacred buildings has been significant. In the article I analyze the attempts to establish religious buildings in public space in Den-mark by two different religious groups. Both attempts ended in conflict with the sur-rounding society. In both cases, the local council's option of using the Planning Act to develop a local development plan plays an important role for the possibility of reli-gious organizations to build, for the building location as well as the building's ap-pearance within the Danish model of religion.