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Reconnecting Aarhus to the Sea: Urban Mediaspace
Published on 23 April 2020
Denmark
Midtjylland
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About this good practice
Creating Urban Mediaspace. Reconnecting the city of Aarhus to the waterfront and sea by transforming industrial harbor areas into a contemporary urban locality.
Resources needed
Creating Scandinavia’s largest public library as well as an entirely modern waterfront in the very city centre of Aarhus meant a solid financial backing from the Municipality of Aarhus. The estimated cost is € 280,000,000 + VAT from which about 80,000,000 € is donated by the organisation Realdania.
Evidence of success
The establishment of Urban Mediaspace has not only given the city a new public library, new recreational spaces, secured the city centre from flooding, it has completely changed the self-perception of the city and its inhabitants.
By creating new urban areas along the seaside in the historical city centre, the project has transformed the waterfront into popular recreational spaces used daily by the city’s inhabitants and visitors. 1.3 million users each year visit the new public library Dokk1.
By creating new urban areas along the seaside in the historical city centre, the project has transformed the waterfront into popular recreational spaces used daily by the city’s inhabitants and visitors. 1.3 million users each year visit the new public library Dokk1.
Potential for learning or transfer
The transformation of a key public area like the waterfront of Aarhus can be transferred to many locations around the world. It is all about seeing opportunities through local governance in the existing water-linked environments while aiming for a modern development through solid project management.
Success criteria achieved:
- High quality in architecture and in the functionalities.
- Increasing use of urban areas and in library functions.
- Development of new processes and citizen engagement.
- Service costs of areas and building are economically sustainable.
- Tying the city and the water together and changing the moving patterns in the city.
- Underground parking facility is a commercial success.
- High degree of security on level 0. Implementation of simple and intuitive user experiences.
Success criteria achieved:
- High quality in architecture and in the functionalities.
- Increasing use of urban areas and in library functions.
- Development of new processes and citizen engagement.
- Service costs of areas and building are economically sustainable.
- Tying the city and the water together and changing the moving patterns in the city.
- Underground parking facility is a commercial success.
- High degree of security on level 0. Implementation of simple and intuitive user experiences.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Aarhus Municipality
Denmark
Midtjylland
Contact
Project Coordinator