The project Tornhøj Kickstart was launched as a kickstarter of the development of the suburb Tornhøj in the city of Aalborg. The intention was to transform the residential area into a sustainable neighborhood, characterized by diversity and with lively meeting places, shops and an active urban life with many different types of housing and residents.
Tornhøj Kickstart includes the transformation of an existing pedestrian tunnel, the path Astrupstien and the establishment of two new urban spaces around the path. The concept idea was to lay the foundation for an attractive and vibrant neighborhood with diversity, activity and security in focus. But the urban space project has proven to extend far beyond the physical reconstruction of the tunnel and the area along the path, as it links a wide range of different projects and investments with social cohesion.
As you enter Astrupstien, you notice a common vision and willingness to create, across municipalities, foundations, private investors, housing companies and citizens. Like a phoenix the area rise from the suburban problems of the past and stage a new dense neighborhood filled with urban life. The light in situ casted concrete flows like a river through the area and appear as a strong picture of the process of change, the area is going through – security and cohesion are key values. Today the former dark and narrow path not only transports citizens from A to B, but also manages to create relations and new meeting places and communities for existing and new residents. The project’s pallet of materials mix sturdy concrete and refined green elements that together create new connections across the suburb.
Tornhøj Kickstart projects stands out by showing how a precise architectural grip can transform a run down neighborhood into to a bright and welcoming urban space with a high focus on social sustainability.
Name of the project: Tornhøj Kickstart
Project category: Public Project
Role of the entrant in the project: Idea and design, procurement, tender and construction
Other designers involved in the design of landscape:
Bridge by Tegnestuen Vandkunsten
Full-service consultancy services: Tegnestuen Vandkunsten
Project location: Astrupstien, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Design year: 2015
Year Built: 2018
