Everyone should be able to move through our shared public spaces and buildings in a safe and dignified way. In complex environments such as stations, terminals, and other public transport hubs, universal design is not just a feature – it’s a fundamental design principle that ensures equal access and high functionality for all, regardless of physical or cognitive ability.
UdforskIntegrating new light rail lines from city centre to suburbs
Byudvikling & Mobilitet
Aarhus letbane, stage 2
Aarhus, Denmark
Gottlieb Paludan Architects is planning and designing the extension of Aarhus Light Rail in collaboration with Rambøll, TrailC, LE 34 and Ilex.
The objective of Aarhus Light Rail is to establish a cohesive public transport infrastructure that creates new connections in Aarhus and its surrounding areas. By linking urban districts, the light rail can help make the city more accessible, efficient, and sustainable. With its high capacity, it ensures that residents in and around Aarhus can travel to and from work or education easily and efficiently.
Phase 2 of the route runs from Spain Square near Aarhus Central Station to Brabrand in the western part of the city. The approximately 7.5 km stretch passes through the dense historic city center around the station and Vester Allé with landmarks such as ARoS and the courthouse, along Viborgvej one of the city's main arterial roads and through smaller-scale residential neighborhoods near Ryhavevej, as well as the recently redeveloped Gellerup Park, characterized by large-scale housing blocks and a shopping center.
Client
Aarhus Letbane, Aarhus Kommune, Farvrskov Kommune
Status
Completed
Size
2 new lines
Year
2019
Collaborators
Rambøll, TrailC, LE 34, Ilex
Areas of Expertise
Photos
Visuals: Gottlieb Paludan Architects
The ambition of the winning design is to give something back to the city.
The project is centered around the passengers, for whom the light rail is intended to be an attractive alternative to car travel. The design takes into account future developments and buildings, thereby supporting continued urban growth in Aarhus and the surrounding areas. Construction work on Phase 2 began in late summer 2019, and the light rail is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
Potential mapping.
Spatial illustration - Integration of trace and planting along Viborgvej, Aarhus Municipality.
Key words for the expansion are accessibility, usability and safety.
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Global design and local adaptation
As the route passes through highly diverse urban areas, the overall approach to integrating the light rail is based on the principle of global design and local adaptation. This means that the stations provide a unifying design identity across the city, while the integration of the route itself including landscaping and surface materials is tailored to the specific local context. This approach helps create a well-integrated infrastructure that enhances and elevates the quality of the urban spaces along the light rail corridor.
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Read moreDo you want to learn more about Aarhus letbane, stage 2?
Sara Wille-Garvin
Head of Urban Development & Mobility, DGNB ConsultantUrban Planner, Architect MAA
swg@gottliebpaludan.com+45 4171 8237