Aarhus Ø is one of the city’s most modern neighbourhoods, yet it yields a problem for the local municipality: An unused, almost 1 km long light-railroad track. This unused strip of concrete is an eye-sore in the otherwise modern and contemporary neighbourhood.
By Ernst Calitz and and Sofie Rønnelund
Local architecture firm, AART Byrum og Landskab, has proposed a plan to turn the strip into a modular-urban-green space that the residents of the area could customize to their own liking.
Jens Kinch, a local architect who is involved in the project, added that “there are many projects around the world where old railway lines inside the cities have been transformed into strong recreational park areas. Probably the best known is the High Line Park in New York”.
Jens further added “When you do planning for projects in a public space, it is always important to listen to, and acknowledge people’s wishes and dreams.” He claims that when “the area was planned – the blue of the water would make up for the demands of green public space, but in actuality, that’s not what we see here, thus we see a large demand for a green urban space in the area.”
The architecture firm claims that the project won’t hinder any other future development because, the current reality is that the light railway isn’t coming to Aarhus ø – which is a political decision already made. So, since it’s not coming but has been planned for, the line of the boulevard provides a sufficient amount of unused space for the urban park.
The firm also stated that the project doesn’t specify the exact use of the urban space, but their aim is to make a linear park – or mini-parks so that the project can incorporate a wide array of uses and smaller projects within the larger collective frame.
Jens admitted that the project is an idealistic project that the firm is doing Pro Bono. “The aim of the project for us was to come out and make some noise in a public debate on how we transform and use our public spaces in Aarhus.”
He added that the project was close to the firm’s heart, because they are a relatively new branch of architecture that is based in Aarhus ø. To him, this project is a good way to come out, make some noise, and make themselves known in the area.
The project is still in the planning phase and has not yet been approved by the local municipality.
