GELLERUPPARKEN
This 1100 unit complex is the stage of an urban renewal. With nearly 95% immigrant population, more than 20% unemployment, low income level and high crime rates, Gellerupparken meets Denmark's technical definition of a "Ghetto". The competition winning revitalization scheme by the Copenhagen firm EFFEKT, knits the development back into the city with through streets, commercial and retail uses at ground level and a diverse mix of unit types. The development will provide a 1/3 mix of social , co-operative and private housing as required by the national housing board Landsbyggefunden (LBF). This is similar to what I described in the Gyldenrisparken posting. This video illustrates the planning concepts. Audio is all Danish but you'll get the idea.Gellerupparken is just one of a number of world class master plans underway in the city of Aarhus.
In early August I met with Niels Peter Mohr at the Aarhus Planning Department to discuss these projects and Aarhus' other long range plans.The planning schedule for city projects is between 5-25 years. Planning is underway for projects to be completed by 2030. By this time an additional 70,000 new residents are anticipated. With an existing population of 310,000 of which 50,000 are students, the knowledge base of the University and a young population is a focus of the planning agenda. Aarhus University is a highly respected Danish school that feeds into the Aarhus business, engineering and healthcare sectors.
In addition to being a center of engineering and production of large scale wind turbines, Aarhus is a major Denmark port. The docklands are a vital aspect of the national economy that is driving major city planning projects including a new motorway tunnel and pier expansion into Aarhus Bay. These future projects will connect the docks to an international thoroughfare bypassing downtown traffic and mitigating congestion.
AARHUS DOCKLANDS
This plan currently under construction modifies three existing industrial piers into a mixed use waterfront development comprising room for 7,000 residents and 12,000 work places (http://www.debynaerehavnearealer.dk/da.aspx). The development competition has attracted international attention. The team of UN Studio, 3XN and Gehl Architects designed the Light House complex pictured here (image from the architect).
Knud Fladeland Nielsen's winning competition winning master plan adds 1/2 meter of sea level over code (2.5m), provides 4m high storm protection and the buildings on site are designed to the strictest energy standards required by code. The development focuses on saving land, connecting the waterfront to the city and both conserving and protecting water sources. The outer pier planning is carved into a series of development blocks by canals and bridges not unlike Slueseholmen in Copenhagen. It is being developed following principles used at Hamarby Sjostad docklands development near Stockholm, Sweden, which I will be visiting in October.
Included in the dockland development is a plan for the new Aarhus library community building MEDIAHUSET. It will house some 350,000 volumes and provide downtown area parking with an innovative automated parking system that increases safety and reduces the footprint required for parking. Additional information is available on the project web page. Site A on the image below is an existing pier to be replaced by the new Maritime Urban Plaza.
Docklands Images courtesy of Aarhus Municipality
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