Kulbroen (Kulkransporet)

Kulbroen (The Coal Crane Track) is the driving force behind the development of the South Harbour District in Aarhus, where the remains of a high concrete bridge are being transformed into a new recreational urban space.

Urban space for all segments

The Coal Bridge serves as the backbone of the new urban space, linking the city center and the South Harbour in Aarhus through a scenic and experience-rich route. The vision is to create a vibrant public space both above and below the bridge, catering to various types of users.

Pedestrians can access the platform from three locations: the Spanish Steps at Frederiks Plads—a ramp-like staircase with a gentle incline—and from the Culture Tower and the Activity Tower, both featuring exterior staircases that frame smaller multi-level platforms. The Culture Tower appeals to urban and working life with meeting spots, coffee areas, and a city-life office.

The Activity Tower promotes movement, exercise, and play in the area, offering a winter garden, climbing nets, trampolines, and slides. In the park surrounding and beneath the Coal Bridge, there are also activity opportunities including balance stumps, swings, and a covered skateboard park.

Recycling

We have integrated the existing materials in the industrial area into the design of Kulkransporet, and the towers consist of recycled steel components. The past is also visible in the landscape design, where natural vegetation plays an important role. Care to preserve self-grown and unpretentious elements at Kulbroen allows for innovative thinking and diversity – physically as well as socially.

Kulbroen contains a strategy for socially marginalised people in the area by introducing drop-in shelters and other targeted activities. The socially marginalised people can play an active role in the local community by participating in various types of gardening and maintenance of community facilities.

The elongated and cohesive bridge structure is designed to be flexible and modular.

The surface covering is, in several places, staggered across the longitudinal direction of the bridge. This means that in some areas, views are opened down through the structure to the space beneath the bridge, while in other areas, small resting zones or meeting places are integrated into the bridge’s layout. In interplay with the connection points and the visual contact with the underlying urban spaces, a varied and sensory experience emerges as one moves across the bridge.

Accessibility

The materials used for the surface are corten steel and wood, and the railing is equipped with integrated lighting that both illuminates the walkway itself and creates a sculptural expression in the evening.

The Coal Bridge was built in 1950 to transport coal via a crane from ships in the port to Aarhus Gasworks. The future Coal Bridge will function anew and we won this transformation in a competition held by the Municipality of Aarhus.

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