First part of river was reopened in 1996

Since 1850 Aarhus has been an important Danish seaport with a river that is part of the port. Due to the expansion and development of the harbour and its increasing activities it became in the thirties necessary to direct the river into pipes. The harbour was enlarged further more and its activities were moved further out into the bay. Therefore the urban development plans can propose to reopen the river and to develop recreation function. 
Covering the river in the 1930s entailed a conspicuous change from provincial idyll to modern metropolis, with larger building complexes and heavier traffic to the harbour. In recent years more

RE-SURFACING THE CITY

intensive use is made of the inner city as a place to spend time and this has necessitated a reduction of traffic and greater emphasis on recreational urban elements. As the river dominated the city for the first 1000 years, reborn water motif will determine how its typography will be perceived in the future. The approach taken to urban architecture is, therefore, extremely important. The transformation from land to water has been the object of a particular attention and it will continue in the following years not only in the city centre but also in the harbour area close to the city. 
An important move in this direction has been the approval of an expansion of the harbour of 130 ha. As a consequence of public voice it was decided to arrange an international urban competition concerning the future development of these harbour areas. In all 150 competition entries were received, among these 64 from abroad. The entrants take in being inspired by the complex character and substance of the competition: city-harbour-natureenvironment-

 traffic-actual/future activities. 
The river project has been particularly well received by both the community and the profession. The project of reopening of the river was a success, It won both the 1996 Danish town planning award and received in 1998 an European Urban and Regional Planning Award. 
In recent years, efforts have been directed towards limiting the city-centre traffic and giving more streets back to pedestrians and cyclists. The competition was arranged by the City Council in 1999. In this way the council obtained urban planning proposals permitting closer connection between the city, the harbour areas and the bay -and in the same time stipulating a development compatible with continuos commercial activity on the adjacent harbour areas, among other things concerning traffic matters.

THE NEW TOWN ?

Vision of the new city Orestad

At the same time, development is going on in Orestad City, which is planned as a large, densely built and intense urban community with room for international businesses, regional culture, shopping centre, offices and residences. The expansion of Orestad City is determined by its position, in that it is the point where the motor and rail links to Copenhagen Airport and Sweden cross Orestad, thus creating a supreme transport and urban development area. Orestad City is also expected to be completed around 2010.

Copenhagen is at the natural centre of the rapid development which has made the Oresund Region one of the most dynamic in Europe in the last decade. The fixed link between Denmark and Sweden has made the region very attractive for investment. This process requires room for development - not least in the region's principal city. Copenhagen is in the exceptional position of having the capacity to expand its boundaries just minutes away from its historic centre - in Orestad, where 310 hectares are currently undergoing rapid development. 
With the opening of the fixed link, Orestad will be at the geographic centre of the Oresund Region, and at the same time become the new gateway to Copenhagen thanks to its international traffic connections. Orestad is about one kilometre from Copenhagen's Town Hall Square, presenting itself as an attractive alternative to present mid-city locations. 

The Orestad Act ensures urban development of high architectural quality with regard for its natural surroundings. Wide boulevards, a modern Metro, green areas and blue canals are central elements. The first buildings are currently being raised from the drawing board and becoming a reality. 
Orestad comprises six quarters, each with its own character. Construction in Orestad will be divided thus: 60% commercial, 20% residential, and 20% designated to retail, culture, education, sport, service and leisure facilities. 
The northern quarter -University Quarter -is currently under development and will be the first to be completed. The University of Copenhagen will be at the centre of a new area, which will bring together education, research and commerce. This quarter will be home to a number of public institutions and is expected to be completed around 2010.