The first year of ImperfectCity: Developing Partnerships and Building Community

Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, is a fast-growing cultural and economic hub blending Viking heritage with modern innovation. In the Aarhus-Nord area, the Skejby neighbourhood is being transformed from a business district into an inclusive, culture-driven community. At its center, Kulturhus Bunkeren (KB) is preserved through a unique partnership of municipal, cultural, housing, and business stakeholders—reflecting Aarhus’s strong tradition of collaboration and inclusive dialogue.

ImperfectCity in Aarhus is a pioneering initiative that redefines how we view and shape our urban environments. Centred on Kulturhus Bunkeren—a Brutalist building repurposed as a climate-resilient community hub—the project addresses both architectural and social stigmas, transforming a once-condemned space into a centre for cultural activity, support, and inclusion.

With rising rates of stress, anxiety, and loneliness among young people, ImperfectCity creates opportunities for co-creation, confidence-building, and dialogue. Through methods such as Lego Serious Play, it reframes imperfection as a catalyst for creativity and resilience, connecting urban design, art, and lived experience.

By linking the raw aesthetics of Brutalism with the expressive power of art brut, the project advances a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and emotionally meaningful urban futures.

For the Municipality of Aarhus – Department of Social Affairs and Employment (MSB), ImperfectCity represents a new way of working that goes beyond traditional service delivery. While MSB has long provided inclusive social services across life stages, this project challenges the municipality to integrate social innovation with cultural programming, urban transformation, and mental health support.

What is new is the deeply place-based and cross-sectoral approach: MSB is not only addressing youth mental health and social vulnerability, but doing so through the reimagining of a stigmatised Brutalist building, Kulturhus Bunkeren. This links urban design, architecture, and culture directly with social care, requiring collaboration across municipal departments and with a wide set of external actors

• MSB – leading on youth, employment, and mental health support, bringing expertise in working with vulnerable groups.
   
• FO-Aarhus (FO) – operating Kulturhus Bunkeren as a community hub and ensuring accessibility and participation.
   
• Fonden Ryesgade 7 (FR7) – building owner safeguarding the site and supporting its transformation.
   
• Domis and Østjysk Bolig – private-sector partners contributing to the physical redevelopment and integration of housing and business perspectives.
   
• Museum Ovartaci and the Social Development Center (SUS) – bringing cultural and social innovation expertise, particularly around mental health and community engagement.
   
• Business Park Skejby and local firms – offering local anchoring, networks, and resources to strengthen employment pathways and neighbourhood cooperation.

By convening such a diverse partnership model, ImperfectCity enables MSB to experiment with the city welfare in a tangible urban context—showing how flexible, co-created solutions can transform both a physical space and the lives of young people.

The partnership development within ImperfectCity has expanded well beyond the original consortium, engaging new organisations such as Comeback Camp – a social enterprise that supports marginalised young men in reintegrating into society through tailored programmes and mentorship. This growth has been made possible through the networks and expertise of existing partners, enabling the project to build a broader, more diverse collaborative base.

The project has intentionally built on partners’ existing strengths and relationships, fostering cross-sectoral cooperation that bridges municipal departments, NGOs, the private sector, and civic society, thereby breaking down silos between technical, social, and environmental teams. 

Informal yet meaningful gatherings—such as the new pop-up container space (The Pavillion) opening at the entrance of KulturBunker, which hosted a number of sharing knowledge events—have proven especially effective in sparking new collaborations and sustaining interest in joint activities. The space will also remain available for community groups, including schools and organisations to host their events, exhibitions and talks. The pavilion’s reuse from Aarhus’ 2017 European Capital of Culture is also a strong story of green innovation and partnership, symbolising both sustainability and continuity.

By keeping the space open for community groups, schools, and organisations, it allows many different actors to use, shape, and benefit from the space, rather than it being controlled by a single entity. That gives them a stake in how the space functions.

While some smaller partners like Skyview Rangers initially felt daunted by the scale of the project, careful reassurance and translation of complex application language into clear, practical tasks helped boost their confidence and strengthen delivery. A key tactic has been showing partners how their everyday work already aligns with project objectives, while clarifying responsibilities to ensure commitment, shared ownership, and trust.

New contacts were recruited through community meetings and existing networks, an important point to highlight in reporting as it demonstrates both reach and responsiveness. The Sculpture Pathway welcomed several new collaborators, including Comeback Camp (a socio-economic enterprise supporting marginalised young men back into society), Gallo Gartneriet, Teknisk Skole, Storbykandsbyen (a socially sustainable residential area focused on mixing neighbourhoods), Ungekulturhuset, and Bylivshusene – Domen Aarhus. Together, these organisations bring diverse expertise across social, cultural, educational, and environmental fields, strengthening the cross-sectoral character of the project.  (Note1)

Linking Social and Spatial Stigmas
The project’s core innovation is its recognition that two forms of marginalisation—mental health stigma and the aesthetic rejection of brutalist architecture—can be addressed together. By combining these, ImperfectCity not only reimagines how we treat vulnerable populations but also how we value neglected urban spaces. This dual reframing creates powerful new opportunities for social inclusion and architectural preservation.

Use of LEGO Serious Play as a Dual-Use Methodology
LEGO Serious Play is applied both as a tool for urban co-design and as a therapeutic, confidence-building practice for young people with mental health challenges. This methodology allows participants to express complex ideas non-verbally, unlocking creativity, building community, and enabling democratic participation in the planning process. It merges play, planning, and mental wellness in a uniquely impactful way. You can read an extended article on LEGO serious play methodology in the article Constructing Your City, One LEGO Brick at a Time.

Climate-Proofing with Architectural Integrity
ImperfectCity introduces innovative approaches to the maintenance and sustainable adaptation of brutalist structures. Kulturhus Bunkeren will serve as a testing ground for new techniques in water resistance, insulation, and heat ventilation—preserving the building’s original character while making it environmentally and functionally resilient.

Youth-Centered Neighbourhood Development
This is one of the first initiatives in Aarhus—and more broadly in Europe—that directly connects the mental health needs of young people with the physical design and regeneration of urban space. Inspired by art brut and the legacy of Ovartaci, the project fosters a built environment where imperfection is not hidden but embraced, enabling youth to thrive in a space that reflects their realities and aspirations.

Year 1 of ImperfectCity has generated key insights across partnerships, community engagement, and project implementation. Young people, including those with criminal backgrounds, were directly involved in building activities such as The Pavillion (the pop-up container) assembly and flower box creation, demonstrating high levels of enthusiasm. These activities effectively transformed social challenges into constructive, creative engagement, with plans underway to broaden this model to other vulnerable areas of Aarhus.

The project’s place-based approach has highlighted the importance of locating work in specific neighbourhoods, such as Rambø, where proximity encouraged engagement from nearby offices, construction firms, and local partners. Strong local relationships enabled practical, pragmatic wins—like moving the container—by leveraging knowledge of the right technical departments and contacts to approach.

Institutional buy-in has been another critical factor. Municipality leadership at the director level recognises the value of the project’s cross-sectoral connections, actively sharing successes in meetings and legitimising the work across the system. This amplification helps ensure long-term sustainability and broad visibility.

Communications and storytelling have also emerged as vital tools. Clear, accessible language is essential when describing partners’ roles and outputs, avoiding overly abstract project jargon. Using Instagram, articles, and reporting has amplified partner contributions and showcased achievements, while sharing concrete stories—such as the pavilion reuse—strengthens partner ownership and public recognition

The Imperfect City project in Aarhus focuses on creating a more inclusive and sustainable urban district by renovating Kulturhus Bunkeren and engaging vulnerable youth. The project will now be transferred to three European cities through a structured exchange.

Purpose of the Transfer:

• Share knowledge and experiences on involving vulnerable youth in urban and cultural development.

• Inspire local adaptations of the model in partner cities.

• Build a European network for ongoing collaboration.

• Scale successful elements across Europe.

As part of the Transfer Work Package and in close collaboration with Transfer Expert Antonella Raddichi, have been co-developed the ImperfectCity Innovation Matrix—a strategic tool designed to support Transfer Partners in identifying, understanding, and evaluating the transferability of the ImperfectCity Innovative Solution within their own urban contexts. 

The project highlighted the importance of clear communication of innovations, allowing transfer partners to select and adapt relevant elements, such as LEGO series and play methods, while documenting impacts for broader understanding. European cooperation was strengthened through cross-sector collaboration, study visits, and new networks, fostering cohesion and broader perspectives. Supporting partners through adaptable options, guidance calls, and reassurance built confidence and facilitated local tailoring. Strong working relationships based on trust, support, and perspective-sharing maintained strategic focus, while efficient, transparent meetings improved productivity. Finally, embracing learning and adaptation, including acknowledging mistakes and documenting small adjustments, showcased resilience, responsiveness, and the value of innovation in complex projects.

Aarhus Kommune, as the lead partner, has actively driven visibility and collaborative outreach for the Imperfect City project at local, national, and international levels. These efforts have been essential in raising awareness, fostering partnerships, and embedding the project’s objectives within broader social and urban development networks.

Key visibility activities and stakeholder engagements for the project have included a mix of national and international events, such as Fish Tank, Blox Hub, Erhvervsstyrelsen, Dansk Byplanlaboratorium, 6-by-konference 2024, Folketingets Beskæftigelsesudvalg, Social og Bolig Styrelsen, FO Bestyrelsen, and internal meetings within the Department for Social Affairs and Occupation, Aarhus Municipality. International exposure included participation in the Venice Biennale at Palazzo Mora under the theme TIME, SPACE, EXISTENCE, a presentation and panel discussion at the opening, the Conference Athens, the European Social Service Conference 2025, and the Opening Site Visit with transfer partners from Hungary, Holland, and Portugal.

The Aarhus team also actively participated in the first EUI Policy Lab: Leveraging Culture for Positive Urban Change held in Chalandri, Greece, on 26–27 September. Representing the ImperfectCity project, the Aarhus delegation contributed to the exchange of urban practices and experiences focused on culture and heritage as powerful tools for sustainable and inclusive development. The EUI Policy Lab, organised in coordination with the City of Chalandri who implemented the Urban Innovative Actions project CULTURAL H.ID.RA.N.T.

By engaging with peers from across the EU, Aarhus strengthened its partnerships and exchanged insights on how art, cultural infrastructure, and participatory design can serve as catalysts for cohesion, healing, and re-imagining urban futures. The ImperfectCity team also drew inspiration from other city experiments, deepening its commitment to co-creating public spaces that reflect imperfection, creativity, and community wellbeing.

The Aarhus team also took part in the 2025 edition of Time Space Existence, the prestigious biennial architecture exhibition organised by the European Cultural Centre during the Venice Architecture Biennale (10 May – 23 November 2025).

Exhibiting alongside EU-funded projects from Tallinn and Rome at Palazzo Mora, the ImperfectCity project represented Aarhus as a flagship example of how urban design can embrace imperfection to promote inclusion, mental health, and cultural resilience.

Additionally, the Museum Ovartaci - the first project to move into the Bunker - has received the Special Commendation at the EMYA 2025 awards ceremony. The award is given to museums that have "developed new and innovative aspects of their public services that other European museums can learn from." Museum Ovartaci received the award for “demonstrating how cultural institutions can promote inclusion, equality, and social cohesion.”

In 2025 the team also launched their social media account ImperfectCity and the new logo for ImperfectCity with the tagline that includes the three themes covering: Imperfect People, Imperfect Building, and Imperfect City.

The transformation of the Bunker is already underway with temporary activities and the involvement of both current and future users. The team just received the excellent news that a generous DKK 95 million grant from Nordea-fonden will be provided towards this project.

The new cultural and community centre will serve as the social heart of the emerging Margrethebjerg district in Aarhus, offering space for arts, community groups, everyday gatherings, and inclusive activities. The building will evolve into a vibrant hub where citizens, associations, and vulnerable groups can connect, create, and thrive under one roof.

In the next phase, the focus will be on deepening community involvement and beginning the careful renovation of the iconic brutalist structure. Temporary activities are already taking place to test ideas and include both current and future users in shaping the space. The transformation will blend cultural heritage with modern, sustainable design, incorporating spaces like a social economy café, workshops, concert halls, and communal areas that reflect the diverse needs of the growing community.

With completion expected in 2028, Kulturhus Bunkeren will not only serve as a model for reimagining historic buildings but also play a vital role in uniting the rapidly developing district. 

Supported by both municipal and EU funding, the centre promises to be a cornerstone for new social ties, shared learning, and vibrant city life in Aarhus.

Note1: List of new partners:

Comeback Camp – A social enterprise that supports marginalized young men in reintegrating into society through tailored programs and mentorship.

Gallo Gartneriet – An urban gardening initiative promoting sustainable agriculture and community engagement.

Teknisk Skole – A vocational school providing practical technical education and training for youth and adults.

Storbykandsbyen – A socially sustainable residential project focused on creating mixed, inclusive neighborhoods.

Ungekulturhuset – A youth cultural center offering creative programs and activities to empower young people.

Bylivshusene – Domen Aarhus – A community hub fostering urban life, social interaction, and participatory neighborhood initiatives.

Note2: The author extends heartfelt thanks to the project team for their collaborative spirit, shared values, and meaningful contributions to this first chapter of the Urban Diary.