Background

Aarhus is preparing a bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2017. We held a pilot Future City Game to establish how it can be used in this process and how it could support the bid. Aarhus is Denmark’s second largest city, and with over 40,000 students it is also the ‘youngest’, Aarhus University being the largest of over 25 tertiary educational institutions in the city. The players of the pilot game, invited by Aarhus2017 and Strong Bright Hearts, came from a number of organisations interested in the future development of Aarhus.

Objectives

The game focused on ideas that could be implemented in the city. Since this was a pilot game, it was a small-scale, and we tried to establish if the game would be suitable for a larger audience in Aarhus.

Winning idea

Car-free City Centre

The winning idea focuses on a new transportation system. A new tram system in the city centre would replace cars, and be able to leave the tracks and go ‘off-track’ to allow for more flexible public transport while remaining environmentally friendly. The group briefly explored other opportunities for areas in the city centre, should it become car-free.

Winning ideas from the other teams

Welcome Pack for People Who Become Pensioners


When people retire, they lose the network of colleagues from their workplace. The welcome pack for pensioners focuses on the creation of new networks for them, and encourages and allows them to use their skills in areas where there is currently a need for their expertise.

Promotion of Holistic Thinking (Fremme sammenhængs-forståelse)

This team came up with a number of ideas that contribute to the spiritual well- being of the people in the city. Among other things, they suggested that a number of ideas such as ‘spirituality and philosophy’ be taught to all school children, that every Monday there should be a meditation session in the town hall, etc.