English /

Smiles will broaden in Århus, when the city in a few years rids itself of the noise and pollution of the industrial harbour and in return gets an attractive and generous opening towards the bay. The city will be saying goodbye and thanks for many years of faithful service to containers and the wharf, and  hello and welcome to culture and city life.

Danish harbours are changing rapidly, and Århus is a classic example. In the years to come, the harbour front will be transformed beyond recognition. For one thing, new city spaces will shoot up alongside Århus' new Multimedia house, which will contain the new central library and the municipality's service centre and be placed on a newly built bastion by Europaplads. For another, a new central harbour front with attractive urban spaces by the water will be established.

In March 2009, architectural firm Schmidt, Hammer, Lassen Architects and architect Kristine Jensen won the competition to design the Multimedia house and the new central city space by the harbour. Given the Multimedia House's prominent position by the mouth of the canal, the library will be the distinct visual focal point for the new city spaces of Århus. It is a solution that naturally connects the centre of town with the water and opens up a world of possibilities. The layout has the potential to change the ways of moving in the city and pave the way for new city development. The new recreational area stretches from the Århus canal which has been opened up to Nørreport via the southern bastion and the Harbour Square in front of the cathedral and Bispetorv. The promenade by the canal is hereby extended from the centre of town, leading around and under the Multimedia House and further on to the new squares. The squares will resemble giant  staircases that allows you to relax for while or actively use them for a wide range of recreational purposes throughout the year.

The Multimedia House and the Harbour Square are expected to be completed by 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Realdania subsidy: 88.6 mill. EUR

Total costs: 214.7 mill. EUR