Towards an Urban Culture Campus: Aarhus x Rotterdam

An exchange of practice and of shared urban challenges between ‘second cities’ Aarhus & Rotterdam. About the meaning of placemaking, cultural programming, civic buildings and true citizen engagement for the good growth of the city.

Aarhus is the second city of Denmark, a transforming port city celebrated for its quality of life, sustainable growth and its position as a hub for education and innovation. Embodied by Dokk1, Scandinavia’s biggest civic center and library of the future. In 2017 Aarhus was named the European Capital of Culture. With its ‘RETHINK’ agenda, the city positioned culture as a tool for change. The ‘Aarhus Goals’, address urban challenges proactively trough the city’s spirit of cooperation, citizen engagement, social cohesion, liveability, diversity and sustainability. Stephen Willacy, City Architect of Aarhus will share the story of his hometown.

After his keynote lecture, Willacy will join in conversation with a.o. Rotterdam alderman for culture and education Saïd Kasmi and initiators of the ‘Cultuurcampus op Zuid’ Wilma Franchimon (chair of the board of Codarts), Theo Kemperman (Rotterdam Public Library director) and Mattijs van Ruijven (Head of urban planning, City of Rotterdam).

Video: Stephen Willacy on Aarhus – City of Smiles 

Beeld: Aarhus 2017 European Capital of Culture