The City Council considers DKK 6 million for temporary public space on Bispetorv

On Wednesday 7 October 2026, Aarhus City Council will consider a proposal to establish a temporary, flexible layout of Bispetorv in the period 2026–2028. The project is to be funded with DKK 6 million from the strategic public-space funds in Budget 2024, and the Municipal Executive recommends that the byråd (city council) adopt the proposal.

What it means for you

If the City Council adopts the proposal, Bispetorv will become an active trial public space with changing layouts over three winters and two summers. The first step is an activity area for play and movement that will, among other things, test whether children and families also use the square in winter. Along the way, dialogue with residents, local stakeholders and businesses is planned, and the furniture and fixtures may later form part of a permanent solution or be reused in other public spaces.

Background

Technical and Environmental Affairs and Culture and Citizen Service point out that Bispetorv has great potential as a place to stay and meet, but that the current square does not work optimally. Thirty to forty cultural events are held on the site each year, and between events it can feel empty. No decision has yet been made on the square’s permanent layout.

The proposal will therefore bring more life to the area now and at the same time gather experience on activities, movement elements, events and solutions that work best. “The first trial will be an activity area that invites movement and play and will explore the potential for children and families to use the square in winter as well.” (translated from Danish) (Appendix — Recommendation)

According to the proposal document, winter 2026 is planned under the heading Børnenes by i Granskoven, including among other things pine trees, fire pits, gløgg and play elements, in connection with the event Gløgg Skoven. The edge of the square is to be set up for staying throughout the period, while the centre is flexible and can change roughly every six months. Later, a pavilion or similar flexible structure may be added to trial outdoor dining. Events such as Aarhus Festuge’s BLITZ initiative must still be able to take place, though other events may require adjustments.

Figures and facts

• The period for the temporary layout is 2026–2028 (Appendix — Recommendation)
• Funding: DKK 6 million from strategic public spaces in Budget 2024, allocated as DKK 2 million in 2026, 2027 and 2028 for construction and associated operating costs (Appendix — Recommendation)
• Culture and Citizen Service provides public-space elements for movement, funded from the KB investment plan for sports and outdoor facilities (Appendix — Recommendation)
• Thirty to forty cultural events are held on the square each year (Appendix — Recommendation)
• The first winter proposal for 2026 is called Børnenes by i Granskoven (Appendix — Appendix 1: Proposal for Bispetorv)
• The Municipal Executive considered the case on 29 September 2026 and recommends that the city council adopt the proposal of 21 September 2026 (Agenda — Allocation for temporary public space on Bispetorv)

Who said what

The Municipal Executive recommends that Aarhus City Council adopt the proposal from the Municipal Executive Department for Technical and Environmental Affairs and the Municipal Executive Department for Culture and Citizen Service. Danmarksdemokraterne, Socialistisk Folkeparti, Liberal Alliance, Radikale Venstre and Enhedslisten entered reservations. Borgmesterens Afdeling has no comments on the proposal.

What happens next

On Wednesday 7 October 2026, Aarhus City Council will consider the proposal. If it is adopted, the temporary layout will be established with ongoing trials and half-yearly summaries of observations and user surveys, including questionnaires for residents and businesses. The experience will later support a political decision on the square’s permanent layout.

Sources

• Agenda — Allocation for temporary public space on Bispetorv
• Appendix — Recommendation
• Appendix — Appendix 1: Proposal for Bispetorv
• Aarhus Municipality meeting documents — meeting
• Aarhus Kommune

Other appendices

• Appendix — Appendix 2: Financial appendix