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Aalborg

Mayor

Thomas Kastrup-Larsen

Biography

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The earliest recorded trading privileges of Aalborg date back to 1342 when King Valdemar IV received the town as part of his huge dowry for marrying Helvig of Schleswig. The town prospered and become one of the largest communities in Denmark. Its growth sped up in 1481 when the merchant and trade association Guds Legems Laug was established.

During the Middle Ages, many important institutions were established in Aalborg, including Budolfi Cathedral and the Hospital of the Holy Ghost, a monastery and nunnery to help people in need. It was transformed into a hospital during the Reformation and still exists today as a nursing home for the elderly.

In 1530 a large part of the town was destroyed by fire, and at the end of 1534, it was stormed and plundered by the king's troops after a peasants' revolt. The Reformation in 1536 brought about the demolition of the town's two monasteries. As a result of these events, the town became a Lutheran bishopric in 1554.

During the period 1550-1640, as a result of increased foreign trade, Aalborg enjoyed great prosperity. The population grew in parallel with the development of numerous buildings in the city. In 1663, Aalborg suffered yet another serious fire, which destroyed the tower of Budolfi Church.

During the second half of the XVIII century, Aalborg entered a further period of prosperity with its population rapidly growing from 4,160 in 1769 to 5,579 in 1801.

In 1814 Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden and Aalborg lost its important role as the country's centre for Norwegian trade. In the mid-19th-century, Aalborg was overtaken by Aarhus as the biggest city in Jutland. By the end of the 19th century, there was however an upturn. The pontoon bridge over Limfjord was completed in 1865, and after four years, the railway reached the city. The harbour itself was also improving, eventually becoming Aalborg Denmark's second largest port. Aalborg became the main producer of tobacco products and spirits in Denmark. In 1901, the population had increased to almost 31,500.

Around the beginning of the XX century, as a result of decisions taken by the municipality, many of the half-timber houses in Aalborg were torn down. They were in turn replaced by hundreds of modern buildings, which completely transformed the look of the city.

By 1960, Aalborg had become famous as the "city of smoking chimneys", with half of the inhabitants working in industry or manufacturing. In 1970 the population had grown to around 97,000.

In the 1970s, Aalborg's industry entered into a period of decline, which in turn led to a drop in the city's population around 1990, when it began to increase again. By the year 2000, the service and education sectors accounted for about 60% of the workforce, partly as a result of the founding of Aalborg University in 1974.

Denmark / Aalborg / Education and Sport / Mobility / Welfare and Health

Aalborg’s kindergarteners receive second-hand bicycles for free

The municipality wants to teach young children how to ride a bike from an early age

May 11, 2022 11:36

Svilena Iotkovska

Ireland / Aalborg / Development / Energy efficiency

Ireland’s first large-scale solar farm has connected to the grid

This is the first step for the country’s planned growth in the photovoltaic sector

May 05, 2022 15:35

Denis Balgaranov

Denmark / Aalborg / Mobility

Aalborg orders 14 of Solaris’ longest bi-articulated electric buses

They are 24 metres long and equipped with modern safety systems

Nov 03, 2021 14:32

Svilena Iotkovska

France / Aalborg / Lyon / Mobility

10,000 youngsters in Lyon will ride bicycles for free

The French city wants to open sustainable transport to everybody, regardless of their means

Oct 22, 2021 13:37

Aseniya Dimitrova

Denmark / Finland / Germany / Netherlands / Sweden / Aalborg / Amsterdam / Berlin / Copenhagen / Espoo / Lund / Stockholm / Innovation and Research

Cities of the Future Index: 3 European metropolitan areas rank highest

Easy Park has found the world’s 150 most intelligent cities

Oct 14, 2021 12:04

Svilena Iotkovska

Denmark / Aalborg / Politics and Reforms

Aalborg establishes a youth climate council

Young people between the ages of 15 and 25 can apply to join the advisory body

Jun 03, 2021 11:07

Svilena Iotkovska

Poland / Aalborg / Green City / Welfare and Health

Wroclaw doubles down on animal welfare

The Polish city will be mobilising experts to consult on the proper treatment of animals

May 12, 2021 14:12

Aseniya Dimitrova

Denmark / Aalborg / Interviews

To recover from the crisis, we will focus on assisting SMEs in internationalization, digitalization and the green transition

An interview with Thomas Kastrup-Larsen, the Mayor of Aalborg in Denmark

May 03, 2021 12:30

Svilena Iotkovska

Denmark / Aalborg / Digital transformation / Innovation and Research / Welfare and Health

Nursing homes in Denmark are using social robots

The municipalities of Aalborg, Viborg, and Skive are employing LOVOT in nursing homes

Mar 08, 2021 12:30

Svilena Iotkovska

France / Aalborg / Innovation and Research / Mobility / Smart City

Toulouse trials an autonomous electric shuttle on the open road

The aim is to demonstrate the safety and sustainability of the shuttle as a transport alternative

Mar 05, 2021 11:19

Aseniya Dimitrova

Netherlands / Aalborg / Innovation and Research / Social City

The Hague trials hip-protection airbags for the elderly

They are meant to prevent severe damage in case of a sudden fall

Mar 02, 2021 14:38

Aseniya Dimitrova

Slovenia / Aalborg / Public Spaces

Maribor renovates city park with European funds

The Slovene municipality is taking care of the places used for healthy leisure

Jan 27, 2021 13:30

Aseniya Dimitrova

Poland / Aalborg / Welfare and Health

Gdynia prepares a modern meeting centre for seniors

A school building in the 1920’s will become a place for inter-generational exchange

Jan 25, 2021 16:42

Aseniya Dimitrova

Bulgaria / Aalborg / Social City

The first expert meeting under the EUDIGIT project was held in Varna

Specialists discussed good practices in the field of youth policies and the digital inclusion

Jan 20, 2021 16:10

Aseniya Dimitrova

Slovakia / Aalborg / Development

Banska Bystrica unveils its latest community-driven projects

They will be financed through the city’s participatory budget

Jan 09, 2021 18:13

Anton Stoyanov

Aalborg / Mobility

Aalborg is the first Danish municipality to implement autonomous vehicles in mixed traffic

Green light for the self-driving buses in Aalborg East

Dec 09, 2019 09:32

Monika Dimitrova

Spain / Aalborg / Culture and Tourism

Constitution Day in Spain

This day marks a major step towards the democratic transition of the country

Dec 06, 2019 00:00

Aalborg / Interviews

The Aalborg DNA shows a will to join forces and develop solutions together

Interview with Thomas Kastrup-Larsen, Mayor of Aalborg in Denmark

Nov 14, 2019 11:59

Monika Dimitrova

Slovakia / Aalborg / Culture and Tourism

Slovak Constitution Day

Today Slovakia commemorates the adoption of the Slovak Constitution in 1992

Sep 01, 2019 00:00

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