About the City with Aalborg Mayor Lasse Frimand

Interview: İpek Arisoy, Hatice Çetinlerden 

What have been the key factors that have helped Aalborg remain at the forefront of sustainability in Europe, and can you share some impactful sustainability projects the city has implemented in recent years?

Aalborg has consistently demonstrated strong local governance and collaboration with businesses, universities, and civil society. This collaborative approach has been central to driving sustainable initiatives. One notable example is the focus on local green deals, known in Aalborg as "climate partnership agreements." Through an EU-funded project and in partnership with Amsterdam, we have developed a blueprint to support SMEs in adopting sustainable business models. Over 80 local businesses, farmers, and cultural and educational institutions have signed agreements to reduce CO₂ emissions through collective efforts.

The integration of sustainability into urban planning is another significant achievement. Projects such as the transformation of Aalborg Waterfront highlight how we can revitalise industrial areas into vibrant, green urban spaces. Similarly, Nordkraft, a former coal-fired power plant, has become a cultural hub, blending Aalborg's industrial heritage with modern uses. These projects demonstrate how environmental, economic, and social sustainability can coalesce to create resilient urban environments.

The foundation of these efforts lies in the long-term vision set by the Aalborg Charter and The Aalborg Commitments, which continue to inspire us. The Aalborg Conditions now build on this legacy, serving as a roadmap for integrated, collaborative, and innovative sustainability strategies across Europe.

What are the most important aspects of Aalborg's approach to sustainable urban development, and how do you integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability into city planning?

Aalborg’s approach to sustainable urban development is rooted in a holistic vision that connects housing, transportation, energy, and waste management. This interconnected perspective ensures that sustainability is embedded across all sectors.

We prioritise community participation through public consultations and citizen assemblies, ensuring that residents’ needs and aspirations are integrated into city planning. Additionally, we incorporate Aalborg’s rich cultural heritage into modern developments, preserving our identity while promoting sustainable tourism and community pride.

The Aalborg Conditions reaffirm this integrated approach by highlighting the importance of cohesive transitions—ensuring that environmental, social, and economic sustainability efforts are aligned. This commitment to inclusive and balanced planning has made Aalborg a leader in creating a sustainable, vibrant, and resilient urban environment.

How is Aalborg integrating new technologies and renewable energy sources into its infrastructure to support its sustainability agenda?

Technology and innovation are key enablers of Aalborg’s sustainability agenda. Green Hub Denmark, headquartered in Aalborg, exemplifies this approach. This public-private partnership fosters green innovation, sustainable business models, and large-scale testing to address climate challenges.

Our infrastructure also supports renewable energy and sustainable transportation. By transitioning to green energy systems, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and enhancing mobility options, Aalborg is creating a future-ready city that aligns with the principles outlined in The Aalborg Conditions.

As an active member of ICLEI, how does Aalborg collaborate with other cities globally, and what role does ICLEI play in supporting your sustainability strategies?

ICLEI provides an invaluable platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration among cities worldwide. Through conferences, workshops, and joint projects, ICLEI enables cities like Aalborg to exchange best practices on climate action, circular economy, and sustainable urban planning.

By working with ICLEI, Aalborg aligns its local policies with international sustainability standards, supported by advocacy efforts at the EU level. The Aalborg Conditions, presented at the recent conference, were a direct outcome of such collaborations. They highlight the importance of shared governance and integrated finance, ensuring cities have the tools and resources to implement ambitious sustainability strategies.

What cities or regions has Aalborg drawn inspiration from in its sustainability journey, and how can other cities, especially smaller or less-resourced ones, adopt similar practices?

Aalborg draws inspiration from several cities, such as Freiburg’s focus on renewable energy, Malmö’s harbour transformation, and Copenhagen’s mobility initiatives. These examples have informed our strategies, enabling us to adopt and adapt innovative approaches to our local context.

Smaller cities can benefit from joining networks like ICLEI to access shared knowledge and best practices. By setting clear goals, engaging communities, and leveraging funding opportunities from EU programmes or international organisations, cities can achieve significant progress. Initiatives like The Aalborg Conditions provide a framework for cities of all sizes to address interconnected challenges through shared governance and cohesive transitions.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Aalborg’s future as a green city, and what are your key sustainability goals for the coming years?

Aalborg’s vision is to achieve carbon neutrality, aligning with Denmark’s national goals, while fostering an inclusive and prosperous community. Key goals include significantly reducing our carbon footprint, creating new opportunities through green innovation, and engaging citizens to ensure sustainability is a shared commitment.

The Aalborg Conditions guide this vision, outlining the need for integrated policies and financial frameworks to support local governments. By prioritising these principles, Aalborg aims to remain a leader in sustainability while contributing to Europe’s broader climate goals.

Aalborg is recognized for its sustainability efforts. How do you personally approach the city’s green policies, and how do you support and promote these initiatives in both your professional and personal life?

I was born and raised here in Aalborg, and I still vividly remember the focus we had in kindergarten and school on taking care of our environment, like avoiding littering. It’s heartening to see that same emphasis in my children’s education today—it shows how deeply these values are embedded in our community. This sense of continuity is one of the reasons I’m so committed to our city’s green policies; I see the tangible difference they make locally.

On a personal level, I actively support local sustainability initiatives. For instance, I regularly participate in waste collection activities in the city. I’ve also made small but meaningful changes in my daily life, such as avoiding bottled water, to reduce waste.

Professionally, I’ve always prioritised citizen engagement in sustainability efforts. During my first term on the city council, I initiated the Green Agent's Project, which focuses on empowering residents to take action for a more sustainable Aalborg. This initiative has been instrumental in fostering a sense of shared responsibility and encouraging grassroots participation in the green transition. I firmly believe that sustainability begins with individual choices, amplified through collective action, and I strive to embody that principle every day.

This conference emphasized the importance of localizing the European Green Deal and tackling interconnected crises at the local level. From your perspective, what were the most inspiring or effective local solutions shared during Aalborg2024, and how do you see them being scaled up or adapted elsewhere?

There were many inspiring solutions shared, but I’d like to highlight local green deals, a concept that is particularly close to my heart and highly replicable. Both Aalborg and Mannheim have been at the forefront of developing blueprints to localise the European Green Deal. These agreements provide a practical framework for cities to implement targeted climate actions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable practices.

Through local green deals, cities foster green innovation and create sustainable business models. In Aalborg, for instance, we’ve engaged local businesses, cultural institutions, and residents in adopting green technologies and practices. This collaborative effort not only reduces environmental impact but also generates economic opportunities and jobs, demonstrating the synergy between sustainability and economic growth.

The continued implementation of these deals has led to key outcomes, including:

• Enhanced Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships with stakeholders at all levels to share resources and scale up successful initiatives.
• Policy Integration: Aligning local green deals with broader frameworks to ensure coherence with EU-level goals.
• Measurable Impact: Establishing robust monitoring systems to track progress and refine strategies.

By fostering active community involvement and leveraging support from the European Commission, local green deals are poised to drive transformative change, not just in Aalborg but across Europe.

A key theme at Aalborg2024 was embracing difficult topics and thinking beyond silos. How did this approach shape the conversations or solutions proposed at the conference, and what breakthroughs stood out to you in integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability?

The conference reinforced the importance of addressing challenges holistically, beyond traditional silos. Cities and regions excel in this approach, but the event highlighted barriers at national and EU levels that hinder integrated solutions. Overcoming these requires enhanced collaboration across all levels of governance.

This was a central theme of The Aalborg Conditions, the conference’s key outcome. They focus on three transformative principles:

• Shared Governance: Encouraging collaborative decision-making between governments, businesses, and citizens to ensure inclusive and impactful sustainability efforts.
• Integrated Finance: Aligning resources with sustainability goals, such as prioritising investments in renewable energy and green infrastructure, to maximise long-term benefits.
• Cohesive Transition: Advocating for coordinated policies that connect environmental, social, and economic sustainability initiatives, ensuring seamless and effective implementation.

These principles provide a roadmap for tackling complex challenges. One breakthrough example is the way Aalborg engages citizens and stakeholders, ensuring that sustainability is not only a policy goal but a shared mission. By fostering inclusivity and aligning actions across sectors, we maximise impact while building resilient, cohesive communities.

One of the central challenges discussed was fostering political will and securing public support for bold sustainability actions. How did Aalborg2024 address the role of democracy in this process, and what practical takeaways emerged for enhancing citizen engagement and social cohesion in sustainability efforts?

Fostering political will and public support is essential for bold sustainability actions. At Aalborg2024, the role of democracy was central to discussions, particularly through The Aalborg Conditions. The document emphasises cohesive transitions that engage citizens as active participants, not passive observers, in the green transition.

Practical takeaways include fostering transparency, involving citizens in decision-making, and showcasing the tangible benefits of sustainability, such as improved quality of life and economic opportunities. By aligning these efforts with inclusive governance frameworks, cities can build enduring public support for ambitious sustainability agendas.