Aarhus Ø is known for its beautiful blue spaces by the water and its gray spaces with modern architecture, but it lacks something essential – green oases. SLETH has changed this by creating Ø-linjen, a cohesive green passage curving its way between the buildings and connecting the bay in the north with the city in the south. With a focus on nature and biodiversity, approximately 100 trees have been planted, beehives installed, and kitchen gardens created with opportunities to grow and gather berries, fruits, and vegetables. Ø-linjen has established a vibrant communal space that functions both as a green corridor and adds a new dimension to the urban landscape, where green oases emerge. The pathway creates a series of distinctive urban spaces with four unique identities, all stemming from an active engagement process in which residents from nearby buildings have influenced the identities with their visions for a greener garden life at Aarhus Ø. SLETH has thus succeeded in creating vitality and connections for residents and contributes to a green experience of Aarhus Ø with Ø-linjen.
Ø-linjen is more than just a piece of landscape architecture – it’s a framework for an active community for the residents at Aarhus Ø. In a unique collaboration with Aarhus Municipality, property owners, and through open dialogue with more than 800 residents, SLETH has developed four interconnected urban spaces along Ø-linjen, totaling 1.6 hectares, forming the green link that ties the entire district together. The project unites people and creates social settings in green surroundings, made possible through a dynamic partnership between citizens, developers, and authorities. SLETH ensured that citizen and stakeholder involvement was central – from initial ideas and visions to planning and completion – creating a space that unites the district through nature and community, rooted in the residents’ own aspirations for a greener life on Aarhus Ø.
Ø-linjen not only creates landscapes – it strengthens community and residents’ sense of ownership of its urban spaces. The green spaces have quickly become gathering points for events, activities, and new community initiatives, making them vibrant meeting places for residents of Aarhus Ø. In this way, Ø-linjen addresses a very tangible issue in Aarhus Ø, a district perceived by some as gray, stark, and windy. With Ø-linjen, SLETH has laid a foundation for a greener, more lush, and more cohesive Aarhus Ø, where community and nature thrives in the city.
The four islands that together make up Ø-linjen each have a unique identity, reflecting the surrounding buildings and physical conditions.
Ø2 was created in response to residents’ wish for green community spaces with a communal garden to grow and harvest from. Here, fire pits, hammocks and greenhouses are spread across a softly rolling landscape that divides the island into smaller spaces.
Ø3 serves as the framework for active community life with its role as an activity garden, encouraging play, urban fitness, and relaxation. This island is geared toward families with children and connects to Generationernes Hus, with a daycare on the ground floor extending into the garden. The character of Ø3 is dynamic and lively, focusing on the active community.
Ø4 stands out with its outward-facing character, where shops and business opportunities bring life to the urban space. Its south-facing facade toward the promenade serves as a hub for activities and social interaction, where different spaces provide room for cafes, shops, and open squares, supporting a vibrant urban environment.
Ø1 is designed by Schønherr Architects. This island interacts with the blue spaces, with water forming its edge, featuring raised beds with plants along the harborfront and large in-situ concrete panels.
Together, the four islands create a rich mosaic of experiences and activities tailored to various communities and individual needs in Aarhus Ø’s urban spaces. This diversity enhances the area’s identity and appeal as a green, vibrant urban district that unites Aarhus Ø.
