Park in Aarhus uniquely combines climate adaptation and rehabilitation
In 2021, the area around MarselisborgCentret in Aarhus was given a new lease of life. The project is the world’s first urban park designed both to manage excess rainwater and to encourage rehabilitation and social interaction.
The aim of the rehabilitation park has been to create a new, vibrant public space in and around MarselisborgCentret. The park is an excellent example of how a comprehensive climate adaptation initiative can go hand in hand with outdoor exercise facilities and green spaces.
Outdoor rehabilitation activities
Previously, the area around MarselisborgCentret consisted of a park and a car park. Today, the park is open and accessible. Users of the centre can now take part in rehabilitation activities outdoors rather than being limited to indoor facilities, as was previously the case. Local residents also have allotment gardens that they tend and use as places to meet and socialise.
The park provides an opportunity to create an integrated solution that connects people and health with nature and the environment. The area represents a truly unique combination of rehabilitation and climate adaptation.
Rainwater is handled on the surface
To manage rainwater in the area, a range of surface-based solutions has been implemented, helping to make the city more resilient to the cloudbursts of the future. Our contribution to the project has focused strongly on climate adaptation.
Rainwater is gathered in depressions
Rainwater falling on and around MarselisborgCentret is collected in natural depressions in the terrain and in the pond, where it can infiltrate into the ground naturally.
Some of the water flows across the surface, while some is conveyed through underground pipes. However, most of the water flows over the surface. Ultimately, the excess rainwater collects in a large depression designed to accommodate and infiltrate substantial volumes of rainwater.