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DKK 1.5 million for urban experiments in Aarhus

At the beginning of the year, a new major EU project was launched at a workshop where the name of the new project and the visions behind it were presented. OrganiCity is the name of the EU project, and this international research project is headed by Martin Brynskov, associate professor of information studies at Aarhus University.

The project will involve close collaboration between Aarhus, London and Santander – three cities which all have experience with using smart city technology. Smart city technologies are technological solutions which improve the standard of services provided to citizens while also reducing resource consumption. Smart cities is thereby a way to describe cities that seek to achieve intelligent urban development; among other things by developing initiatives that optimise urban activities by combining the physical environment with the digital world.

Invitation to participate in a unique citizen exploratorium

Another important point of the whole project, however, is that technology will not be sufficient on its own. Civic participation and co-creation are equally important components in the cities of the future.

"It is essential for the project that we do not attempt to create a smarter city by forcing ready-made solutions on people. That approach has already been tried numerous times around the world, and it simply doesn’t work. This is why we are inviting citizens’ groups, organisations and all other interested parties to join the experiments.”

At the meeting, the participants will obtain specific knowledge about the rounds of applications for citizen and business driven experiments based on OrganiCity.

"In Aarhus, it will be possible to apply for funds from a pool of DKK 1.5 million to be distributed between a number of small and larger Aarhus experiments. The meeting is a perfect opportunity to learn more about the application process and the tools we make available for all the experiments," says Martin Brynskov.

Participation in the meeting is free of charge. Registration via the Service Cluster Denmark website

 


Facts about OrganiCity

  • OrganiCity is the name of a new EU project
  • The total budget is DKK 54 million.
  • A total of 15 partners are affiliated with the project, which will run for three years.
  • The central cities involved are Aarhus, London and Santander.
  • In a Danish context, the partnership consists of Service Cluster Denmark, InfinIT, the Alexandra Institute, Aarhus University and Aarhus Municipality.

Click here to learn more about the project


Further information

Martin Brynskov

Associate professor and coordinator of AU Smart Cities og The DThe Danish Smart City Network 
and a member of the interdisciplinary Participatory IT Centre

Digital Design and Information Studies

School of Communication and Culture

Aarhus University

Email: brynskov@cavi.au.dk

Mobile: +45 3068 0424