How do we plan the cities of our future? How do we balance the needs of people with those investors? How do we secure our built heritage, when urban space only becomes more expensive and more cramped? And how can a city you’ve never heard about shed a little light on the same questions? Aarhus is the second largest city of Denmark and this year’s European Capital of Culture.

It is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, established by Vikings 1300 years ago. Since then it has grown in importance and influence with one of Northern Europe’s largest harbors and as many as 9 institutions for higher education, including Aarhus University. With its increasing popularity and the growing international attention, the city is struggling to balance population growth, business interests and the preservation of its urban heritage while at the same time making space for social and cultural life to flourish. In recent years, the city has been investing in countless of urban development projects that in one way or another attempt to balance preservation and development.