Changing conditions in a Danish New Town

This abstract uncovers the social, human and architectural value of New Towns in a Scandinavian context and discusses how inherent values in these years are transformed into new urban fabrics with potentials and drawbacks for the inhabitants. How can primary inherent values of an existing case under transformation and secondary potential common cultural-historical memory be reactivated through transformations? The research focuses on the housing areas, on residential welfare services as well as on the urban spaces seen as potential creators of cohesion, trust and identity. The discussion is contextualized through the case of Gellerup, a social housing area built in the late 60s, framing the life of app. 7.000 people and nowadays counting more than 80 nationalities in the western part of Aarhus. In a Danish context the settlement was considered a highly modern New Town at its initiation in 1968. The architect Knud Blach Petersen unfolded international inspirations in terms of new social ideas and new construction technologies in order to shape local human welfare-, culture- and sports facilities supporting the whole neighborhood, the housing structure and the quality of life. The methodologies are widespread, from studying the historic inspiration from the early modernist movement and modern technology from the industrial period. The specific intentions of the transformation plan will be analyzed and studied in a critical perspective. The local housing association, the tenants and grassroots from the area will be interviewed. Scientific material will be reviewed.