By Alena Harcinikova, Kyran Berlin

Some people like it, others say it’s not the same old Aarhus. “This is not New York,” says one of the Joint Council members, Michael Poulsen. We are talking about the expansion of the harbour and the urban development known as Aarhus Ø, around which there is a stormy discussion. However, this discussion has an expiration date; on the 4th of March the consultation period is over and construction begins.

The Beskyt Aarhusbugten Nu (Save Aarhus Bay) movement has already organized several meetings with the goal of raising awareness to the environmental impacts of the proposed port expansion. The last one took place on the 4th of February and the next one follows on the 22nd of February.

BAN’s intention is to raise awareness with both politicians and Aarhus residents that the project will effectively double Denmark’s CO2 emissions and add harmful waste products to the ocean, impacting local ecosystems.

“We’re not saying ‘no harbor,’ we want a dialogue,” said Tomas Bekker, an Aarhus economist and member of the movement. “We are now holding meetings, writing letters, but we are also ready to demonstrate,” he adds.

The most recent changes to the Aarhus Ø plans were made on 1 December last year, when the city council almost unanimously adopted a proposal to demolish ten villas in favor of a multi-story building. According to Dr Dk, 136 buildings of six or more stories have been built in the village in the past decade.

Many Aarhus residents are in support of Aarhus Ø developments and the port expansion, with eyes on greater accessibility and more things to do in the harbor.

“I’m happy for our port. I’ve lived here for 50 years. I’m really happy with the changes, and I think we can handle the environmental part. And I really like the Lighthouse,” said Jacob Bjerree to me.
“Most of those changes are really good and smart. I think it’s good that the port is expanding, it’s always been a great port and it should stay that way,” Vibeke Piilgaard told me. She lived in the harbour when she was a child. “Just a while ago my husband and I were talking about what our parents would say about the changes. I think my dad would be thrilled. He’s always loved the harbor, and he would definitely like this,” she said

However, many Aarhus residents have concerns about the harbor development beyond its ecological impact. For example, the bishop of Aarhus, Henrik Wigh-Poulsen, and the director of the Old Town, Thomas Bloch Ravn, have criticized the changes. They don’t like how close to the historic center the buildings are and they also fear that the new high-rise will be one and a half times as tall as the cathedral, detracting from Aarhus’ cultural landmarks.

February 11, 2022  
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