Wonderful Copenhagen has at least one problem in common with most other European capitals: the housing shortage. In the old part of the city people live cramped conditions, narrow thoroughfare lack sunshine, and houses as well as facilities date back centuries.

In April 1959 the Danish Government decided to reorganise the country's capital in a big way. Plans were made for the demolition by 1970 of old houses containing a total of 50,000 flats, and for the construction by 1960 of some 25,000 modern flats in multi-storey building.

For the speedy implementation of this huge programme, the organisers are relying on up-to-date building methods using pre-cast concrete units. These units, ranging from foundation blocks to whole wall sections, are manufactured on the assembly line and stored ready for delivery. At one time a manufacturer amy have enough pre-cast concrete parts in his storeroom to make up several multi-storey buildings. Stored away, the sections take up surprisingly little room.

On the building site - cleared of all rubble left by demolition gangs - the new structure goes up like a do-it-yourself kit. With the foundation laid, cranes lift huge sections into position, piecing the building together with clockwork precision...the floor here, the walls there, the ceiling on top - one storey completed. And while the next floor goes into place, carpenters, decorators, electricians and other craftsmen get to work on the erected part putting in windows and doors, painting, papering, and installing the necessary services.

Apart from being faster, cheaper and cleaner than conventional brick-building, the pre-cast concrete method has the advantage of permitting continuous erection throughout the otherwise critical winter months. Known in several countries, the method ins now getting more and more popular in the battle against the general housing shortage.