Masterplan for University City Aarhus

The masterplan is based on a set of simple guiding principles that form the foundation for the development of University City. The historical qualities of the former municipal hospital have been preserved and enhanced, while the area has been opened and more closely connected to the surrounding urban fabric. The plan creates a framework for contemporary student life and everyday activities, and its structure is designed to be able to evolve and adapt over time.

Overall, the project is founded on a conservation-led approach to the existing architecture and the site’s distinctive sense of cohesion. Rather than replacing what already existed, the plan builds upon the established building structure and material palette. This gives University City a strong identity and anchors its new purpose in the history of the site.

The public spaces are organized with a clear variation in character and scale. In addition to the central square, a series of smaller urban spaces and green pockets are introduced, together creating a diverse urban environment with a range of opportunities for recreation. Along the main street and around the larger squares, outward-facing functions and active façades help open up the area and bring life to the area. 

The internal main street and its adjacent public spaces form an important visual and spatial element within the masterplan. Here, red brick is reintroduced in the paving as a defining identity-forming feature that ties the area together. The paving varies between red-brick sidewalks, fully paved squares, and simpler pathway systems edged with red brick, creating a natural hierarchy within the public realm.

At the same time, the green park landscape of University Park is extended across Nørrebrogade and woven between the former hospital buildings. This creates the experience of moving through a continuous landscape even across the road, strengthening the visual and spatial connection between University Park and University City.