Image
The Uncovering of The River Aarhus (1992-2015)
Published on 21 April 2020
Denmark
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The uncovering of The River Aarhus. The river was covered between 1933-57. It was uncovered from 1992-2015 to create recreational areas along an open canal.
Resources needed
The project, with its many stretches was entirely funded by the Municipality of Aarhus. The stretch from Immervad to Saint Clements Bridge had a projected cost of 9 million €. The stretch from Immervad to Vester Allé incl. the water reservoirs beneath Mølleparken had an approx. cost of 12 million €.
Evidence of success
The environmental aspect is evidential through the absence of cars, busses and similar vehicles that emits carbon dioxide. Trees have been planted along the canal in the pedestrian zones.
It has become an attractive environment for locals and tourists to visit, and due to this the buildings along the canal are now full of cafés, bars and restaurants.
Aesthetically the uncovering has brought forth several awards, and economically property values have risen dramatically due to the changes.
It has become an attractive environment for locals and tourists to visit, and due to this the buildings along the canal are now full of cafés, bars and restaurants.
Aesthetically the uncovering has brought forth several awards, and economically property values have risen dramatically due to the changes.
Potential for learning or transfer
The practice could be interesting for those cities and regions that have witnessed a large-scale transformation of its infrastructure related to the covering up of rivers, streams or creeks. In the 1950s many European cities saw the need to expand their city centres in order to improve traffic conditions. This often led to the demolition of older buildings in order to create the necessary space. This also affected some water-linked spaces. Creating good infrastructure for the increasing number of cars meant that water no longer had a high priority in the booming cities.
By adopting the process that Aarhus went through other cities and regions could potentially gain some of the same socio-economic benefits. There are countless of key success factors that prove the uncovering of the River Aarhus to be worthy of transferring to other locations. The first step in transferring the idea would be to inform the population in the target area of the values of accessing water under an open sky
By adopting the process that Aarhus went through other cities and regions could potentially gain some of the same socio-economic benefits. There are countless of key success factors that prove the uncovering of the River Aarhus to be worthy of transferring to other locations. The first step in transferring the idea would be to inform the population in the target area of the values of accessing water under an open sky
Good practice owner
Organisation
Aarhus Municipality
Denmark
Midtjylland
Contact
Project Coordinator