Aarhus municipality is investing 8.9 million kroner in rebuilding four of its community houses (folkehuse), in Møllestien, Vejlby, Ankersgade and Harlev. The aim is to make them more open, flexible and inviting meeting places for residents. The city links the investment to its preventive health work, including efforts against loneliness.
What changes in each house
Each of the four houses gets its own upgrade:
| House | Planned changes |
|---|---|
| Møllestien | Former kitchen rebuilt as an exercise hall; new flexible activity room and kitchenette |
| Vejlby | Courtyard fitted with new seating and activity areas |
| Ankersgade | More flexible meeting and lounge areas |
| Harlev | Café and kitchen modernised for everyday life and shared meals |
According to the municipality, the rebuilds will make the premises more up to date and flexible, so the houses can hold more activities and attract more users.
Money and timeline
The works will be carried out on a rolling basis from 2026 to the end of 2027. They are funded from money set aside in Budget 2024 as Aarhus municipality’s co-financing of the F:LOK project.
F:LOK – Folkehuse og Lokale Kræfter (Community Houses and Local Forces) is run in cooperation with the Nordea Foundation, which supports it. The project tests new ways of creating more life, stronger communities and greater engagement in the city’s community houses. It covers six themed houses: Ankersgade, Harlev, Møllestien, Tranbjerg, Trige and Vejlby. The 8.9 million kroner goes to four of these six.
Why the city is doing it
The municipality says use of the community houses has risen markedly in recent years, and its ambition is that even more residents will see them as local gathering places. The houses play an important role in the municipality’s preventive and health-promoting work. The announcement came from the municipality’s Health and Care department, which runs 34 community houses.
Metin Lindved Aydin, councillor for Health and Care, described the investment as one in the communities that make a difference in everyday life. Anette Poulsen, chair of the Health and Care Committee, said the city is investing in places where people can meet, be active, volunteer and become part of a community, adding that this “helps prevent loneliness and create a healthier Aarhus”.