Aalborg

Aalborg is both the municipality’s largest city, with a population of 136,645, and the capital of the North Denmark Region. Nearly 581,000 people in 11 municipalities live in the North Denmark Region by which Aalborg municipality inhabits 213.558 people. Currently, we are experiencing huge growth in the number of newcomers, and as a result of this growth, we are very focused on establishing housing, and we are investing massively in residential buildings for youth, families and seniors.

Storm P, a well-known Danish artist and humourist, once said that “nothing comes of itself alone, except fluff”. If we want change, we must act. And this is one area in which we have excelled in our municipality. Aalborg has gone from industrial town to modern knowledge city with a global perspective. And that international perspective, in particular, has been decisive for the local development.

Strategic plans focused on visions and action plans including investments and partnerships are main outputs of the urban practice and development of the city. This has been developed through a ’rethinking’ process including both physical environments, local network and cohesion and storytelling and identity. Local and political ownership and partnerships with trustful relations between the municipality and local stakeholders and investors have been developed, and this has brought security for investors, which is very important for the sustainable regeneration process. The overall goal is to create synergy using existing, limited, resources and to attract interest from investors is shared by many cities.

In 2018 we asked the citizens and stakeholders of Aalborg “What do you believe the essence of Aalborg is – What is the city’s DNA?”. All 5.441 contribution was passed on to Aalborg City Council and became a part of the municipality’s new story and vision “Vi udvikler os sammen” in which a promise is made that the city’s development is not only made for but with the citizens.

Being a part of Com.Unity.Lab network allows Aalborg to further develop and improve citizen participation. We believe that through international networks we can gain access to new knowledge and benefit from it to ensure the best quality of life for our citizens and improve the level of our core services.