1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The restoring of the river aimed to improve the quality of the water hygiene in the receiving waters through the Aarhus River project to support the opportunities for recreational use of Lake Brabrand, the Aarhus River and the Port of Aarhus. The planned solutions are adapted to the expected climate change scenarios. (Ref. 3) Also, projects aimed to prevent flooding by providing "time and space for water" where separate sewers, the construction of large, linked rainwater ponds and new lakes able to act as reservoirs are part of the mix. (Ref. 2)
Creating waterfront spaces where opportunities for activities generating liveliness and commitment will arise. (Ref. 4, 5, 6)
A part of the vision for Aarhus River (Århus Å) included re-building of Mølleparken, and creating a connection to the green and recreational areas near and around to the river. (6)
In connection with the river's exposure, a large pumping and locking system that will improve the protection of Aarhus Midtby against floods from the sea was created. (Ref 17)
Creating waterfront spaces where opportunities for activities generating liveliness and commitment will arise. (Ref. 4, 5, 6)
A part of the vision for Aarhus River (Århus Å) included re-building of Mølleparken, and creating a connection to the green and recreational areas near and around to the river. (6)
In connection with the river's exposure, a large pumping and locking system that will improve the protection of Aarhus Midtby against floods from the sea was created. (Ref 17)
Quantitative targets
Increasing of the Aarhus area is taking place (rapidly growing populations, jobs, as well as number urban development projects that are in progress). (Ref. 8) E.g. over 4000 visits and over 1500 employees (with regards to the waterfront spaces). (Ref. 12)
Eight large basins - most underground - for temporary collection of rainwater and wastewater in case of heavy rain. Total capacity 50,350 m3 (50.3 million liters) (Ref 15)
Eight large basins - most underground - for temporary collection of rainwater and wastewater in case of heavy rain. Total capacity 50,350 m3 (50.3 million liters) (Ref 15)
Monitoring indicators defined
-Number of visits and number of employees (Ref 12)
-nitrogen and phosphorous monitoring: Two meadow lakes (100 ha and 115 ha) were established upstream to reduce the leaching of agricultural surplus of nitrogen and phosphors into the Bay of Aarhus. (Ref. 1)
-nitrogen and phosphorous monitoring: Two meadow lakes (100 ha and 115 ha) were established upstream to reduce the leaching of agricultural surplus of nitrogen and phosphors into the Bay of Aarhus. (Ref. 1)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Please specify "other Type of NBS project"
The restoring of the river aimed to improve the quality of the water hygiene in the receiving waters through the Aarhus River project to support the opportunities for recreational use of Lake Brabrand, the Aarhus River and the Port of Aarhus. The planned solutions are adapted to the expected climate change scenarios. (Ref. 3)
Implementation activities
-Two meadow lakes (100 ha and 115 ha) were established upstream to reduce the leaching of agricultural surplus of nitrogen and phosphors into the Bay of Aarhus. (Ref. 1)
-The river acts as a green and blue corridor running through the city centre. (Ref. 1)
- Re-building of of Mølleparken, and creation of waterfront spaces to increase economic activity (Ref. 5, 6)
- The planned solutions were adapted to the expected climate change scenarios. (Ref. 3)
-The new waterfront spaces will cover a total area of approximately 23,000 m2 (the size of the area is the equivalent of around four football fields). (Ref. 7)
- Eight large basins - most underground - for temporary collection of rainwater and wastewater in case of heavy rain. Total capacity 50,350 m3 (50.3 million liters) (Ref 15)
- Many sewers are closed - pipes are routed to the new basins or treatment plants instead (Ref 15)
- Improved treatment of wastewater at Viby and Åby Wastewater Treatment Plant (Ref 15)
- The expansion of the capacity at Viby and Åby Wastewater Treatment Plant (Ref 15)
- In connection with the river's exposure, a large pumping and locking system that will improve the protection of Aarhus Midtby against floods from the sea was created. (Ref 17)
- IT solution with the use of rain radar and overall control of the entire wastewater system - basins, sewer system and treatment plant (Ref 15)
- Notification in case of exceeding of the requirements for bathing water quality (Ref 15)
-The river acts as a green and blue corridor running through the city centre. (Ref. 1)
- Re-building of of Mølleparken, and creation of waterfront spaces to increase economic activity (Ref. 5, 6)
- The planned solutions were adapted to the expected climate change scenarios. (Ref. 3)
-The new waterfront spaces will cover a total area of approximately 23,000 m2 (the size of the area is the equivalent of around four football fields). (Ref. 7)
- Eight large basins - most underground - for temporary collection of rainwater and wastewater in case of heavy rain. Total capacity 50,350 m3 (50.3 million liters) (Ref 15)
- Many sewers are closed - pipes are routed to the new basins or treatment plants instead (Ref 15)
- Improved treatment of wastewater at Viby and Åby Wastewater Treatment Plant (Ref 15)
- The expansion of the capacity at Viby and Åby Wastewater Treatment Plant (Ref 15)
- In connection with the river's exposure, a large pumping and locking system that will improve the protection of Aarhus Midtby against floods from the sea was created. (Ref 17)
- IT solution with the use of rain radar and overall control of the entire wastewater system - basins, sewer system and treatment plant (Ref 15)
- Notification in case of exceeding of the requirements for bathing water quality (Ref 15)
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Restoring/reopening of the Aarhus river, creating protection against flooding, e.g. through mixture of measures including rainwater ponds and new lakes to act as reservoirs. (Ref. 3, 2)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The river was piped during the 1930s for hygienic reasons and to give space for road infrastructure. In 1989, the city decided to resurface the river, and in 2005 the city of Aarhus decided to improve the quality of the water hygiene in the receiving waters. (Ref. 1, 3)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Several other Danish towns are now using the Aarhus model (regarding flood prevention) to decide if it could provide the solution to their own problems with more intense rain and rising water levels. (Ref. 2)
