City and Planning Committee on 30 September 2026
Tech and Environment recommends rejecting SF action plan for green facades and roofs
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On Wednesday 30 September 2026, the City and Planning Committee will consider Tech and Environment’s recommendation that SF’s proposal for a separate action plan for green facades and roofs not be adopted — and that the municipality instead strengthen existing tools with guidance and an update to Grøn Norm.
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Summary
On Wednesday 30 September 2026, the City and Planning Committee will consider Tech and Environment’s recommendation that SF’s proposal for a separate action plan for green facades and roofs not be adopted — and that the municipality instead strengthen existing tools with guidance and an update to Grøn Norm.
What it means for you
If the udvalg (committee) backs the recommendation, Aarhus will not get a new, consolidated action plan with time-bound targets for greened buildings. Instead, the administration proposes concrete guidance on establishing and maintaining green facades, roofs and courtyard spaces — and raising the point values for the same elements in Grøn Norm during the upcoming byråd (city council) term.
Background
SF Aarhus proposes that the municipality prepare an ambitious action plan with measures and measurable, time-bound targets for more green facades and roofs. The proposal was submitted by Thomas Medom, Anne Hammer, Mette Bjerre and Liv Gro Jensen (spokesperson). Among other things, the party points to biodiversity, climate adaptation for cloudbursts and a cooler microclimate in the city centre, and wants tools such as incentives, lokalplan (local development plan) requirements and pilot projects.
Tech and Environment responds that the intentions are already supported by Grøn Norm, the municipal plan addendum Et grønnere Aarhus med mere blåt and Politik for Bykvalitet og Arkitektur. The administration therefore assesses that the need can be met by supplementing architecture policy with information material and by updating Grøn Norm after Kommuneplan 2025 — without a new action plan.
The case was in the byråd on 13 August 2025, in the magistrat (municipal executive) on 4 November 2025 and again in the byråd on 12 November 2025, when it was referred to the Technical Committee. It is now with the City and Planning Committee.
Figures and facts
- Grøn Norm was adopted in 2023 and sets a minimum level of urban nature in lokalplan-required construction through a points system that also weights green roofs and facades. (Appendix — Recommendation)
- The recommendation is dated 22 October 2025 and contains three decision points: do not adopt the action plan, prepare guidance material and update Grøn Norm. (Appendix — Recommendation)
- The magistrat recommended on 4 November 2025 that the byråd adopt the recommendation; Socialistisk Folkeparti stood by the original proposal. (Agenda — Response to SF proposal on action plan for green facades and roofs in Aarhus)
- Tech and Environment has reviewed residential and commercial lokalplaner with new construction from September 2024 to May 2026 for requirements on green roofs, sedum roofs and facade greening. (Appendix — Note MTM 21.09.2029 (annotated 29.09.2026))
- Examples in the review include among others lokalplan 1218 (Larsmindevej, Lisbjerg), 1225 (Karl Krøyers Vej, Skejby), 1226 (Tage-Hansens Gade / Amtssygehuset), 1224 (Plantorama ved Grenåvej) and 1238 (Atletikstadion og Sportens Hus). (Appendix — Note MTM 21.09.2029 (annotated 29.09.2026))
- In the lokalplan process, the starting point is that planting typically takes five years to grow in and meet Grøn Norm. (Appendix — Recommendation)
Who said what
At the byråd meeting on 13 August 2025, rådmand (alderman) Nicolaj Bang (KF) called SF’s proposal fundamentally good, but advised against a new action plan because the municipality already works with Et Grønnere Aarhus, policy for urban quality and architecture and Grøn Norm. Liv Gro Jensen (SF) maintained the wish for more nature on buildings and recalled earlier byråd support.
On 12 November 2025, Jesper Kjeldsen (S) backed the recommendation and wanted the case seen in a broader context. Bünyamin Simsek (KF) also supported it and highlighted that green roofs on Aarhus Ø do not always become what is required — with Lighthouse as an example of established green roofs and an example from Brabrand Boligforening, where according to him the roof ended up as a painted compromise solution. Liv Gro Jensen (SF) maintained criticism that too few green facades and roofs are still seen in the city.
What happens next
The City and Planning Committee considers the case on Wednesday 30 September 2026. The udvalg must decide whether the recommendation not to adopt the action plan — and instead proceed with guidance material and an update to Grøn Norm — should be recommended onward in the political process.
Sources
- Agenda — Response to SF proposal on action plan for green facades and roofs in Aarhus
- Appendix — Recommendation
- Appendix — Note MTM 21.09.2029 (annotated 29.09.2026)
- Aarhus Kommune meeting documents — meeting
- Aarhus Kommune
Other appendices
Transcript
Transcript of the council debate with speakers named, from the official signed record.