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Meet Aarhus!

The largest city in Jutland, Aarhus anchors the Central Denmark Region and the statistical region Landsdel Østjylland (LØ) (Lit. Province East Jutland). The LØ is the most populous statistical region in Denmark with an estimated population of 903,974. Aarhus Municipality defines the greater Aarhus area as itself and 8 adjacent municipalities totalling 952,824 inhabitants which is roughly analogous to the municipal and commercial collaboration Business Region Aarhus.The city proper, with an estimated population of 280,534, ranks as the 2nd-largest city in Denmark. Aarhus dates back to at least the late 8th century, and is among the oldest cities in Denmark. It was founded as a harbour settlement at the mouth of the Aarhus River and quickly became a trade hub. The first Christian church was built here around the year 900 and later in the Viking Age the town was fortified with defensive ramparts. The Viking Age was turbulent and violent, also for Aros, as the town was called back then, but in spite of the difficulties, the bishopric of Aarhus grew steadily stronger and more prosperous, building several religious institutions in the town during the early Middle Ages.

 

 

 

Trade continued to improve, although it was not until 1441 that Aarhus was granted Market town privileges, and the population of Aarhus remained relatively stable until the 19th century. The 1600s, in particular, was a difficult time for Aarhus as the town suffered from several wars and the plague, and trade was also dampened by the state in favour of the royal seat of Copenhagen. Nevertheless, Aarhus grew to become the second biggest town in Denmark during that time, and in the middle of the 1700s, the once prosperous trade growth returned. The industrial revolution became an inflection point in the 19th century, as industry drove a rapid population growth, outpacing regional rivals, and the first railway line in Jutland was built here in 1862. In 1928, the first university in Jutland was founded in Aarhus and today it is a university city and the largest centre for trade, services, industry, and tourism in Jutland.

277000

City Population

25000

Demo Area Population

9100

City Area - Ha

7

Demo Area - Ha

About Marselisborg

Marselisborg center is a purpose-built health and well-being Centre with multipurpose advanced rehabilitation/recreation facilities. It is surrounded by a large city park in the middle of Aarhus. It has been established in a collaboration between the City of Aarhus and the Central Denmark Region to develop synergy between public and private organizations, as well as institutions from the health, social and employment areas. The park surrounding the Centre is the first of its kind to combine rehabilitation activities and of cloudburst (urban pluvial flood) protection (long-term adaptation for CC).

Health-Social-Environmental Facts

People with disability face greater physical (health), mental and social exclusion challenges compared to the general population. Some 31,6% of the population in Aarhus suffer from long-term illness. The percentage of the population with poor mental health has increased from 10,8% (2010) to 13,8% (2017), while the percentage having high stress have increased from 20,2% to 24,6 %. Growing evidence point to outdoor rehabilitation in community settings being effective. Children growing up in greener environments have up to 55 percent less risk of developing MNDs later in life.

Already implemented measures in the city and the upscaling concept

The urban park is planned developed with BGS to cover multiple functions as a place for recreation, nature, rehabilitation and climate adaptation. During the planning period activities for different users of the park, ‘mixing’ disabled with non- disabled people are organized annually. In 2017, 900 people from local institutions participated in the SPARK activities that will be the basis for the Danish activities in HEART. The park is intended to increase PH and WB for both citizens in the immediate area as well as those participating in a rehabilitation process. Additional demo site for the project is available in the Northern coastal zone which includes sea waterfront. Furthermore, two extrapolation Areas 3 and 4 are earmarked for training of planners in implementation of HEART’s innovative HCPM and other planning tools.

City Facts

Aarhus is home to the annual eight-day Aarhus Jazz Festival, the SPoT Festival, and the NorthSide Festival.

City Facts

In 2017, Aarhus was the European Capital of Culture along with Paphos in Cyprus.

City Facts

Founded in the early Viking Age, Aarhus is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, along with Ribe and Hedeby.

City News

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