Tech og Smart City

The Aarhus area boasts a strong digital cluster with critical mass in tech companies, research, and education. Over the past 15 years, significant advancements have been made in the areas of big data and data science, Internet of Things (IoT), cyber security, user-driven design, health IT, IT for the defense and security industry, IT for the food industry and the bio-based economy, gaming and animation industries, digital design, and Fintech.

Aarhus' leading position in the region is also rooted in a long tradition of public-private collaboration. This partnership has resulted in the creation of one of the country's largest IT knowledge and innovation environments - IT City Katrinebjerg in Aarhus.

Denmarks largest IT and innovation district

In Aarhus, there are over 20,000 IT jobs within a 10-kilometer radius, with many large tech companies located in the Business Region Aarhus.

Denmark's largest IT and innovation district is located in Aarhus. With a unique development and innovation environment as well as an IT research park, the Katrinebjerg district is Aarhus' IT power center. There is close collaboration between companies, educational institutions, and researchers. The Alexandra Institute conducts groundbreaking interdisciplinary IT research, while the Incuba Science Park facilitates knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs. Additionally, Denmark's cluster for digital technologies, DigitalLead, is located in IT City Katrinebjerg.

The talent pool at Katrinebjerg

Aarhus University has located the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Media and Journalism Studies at Katrinebjerg. Students in engineering programs such as electronics, ICT, and healthcare technology also study here, as well as the Danish School of Media and Journalism. Katrinebjerg has around 3,000 students, researchers, employees, and companies, and is Denmark's leading IT growth center.

Aarhus as a Smart City

The strong collaboration between public and private sectors has contributed to Aarhus being among the leaders of Danish and European "Smart Cities" - a concept that encompasses cities where the private sector, public sector, knowledge institutions, and citizens collaborate on urban development and enhancing welfare tasks. In this process, there is a focus on using the actors' combined resources more effectively and sustainably, both economically, socially, and environmentally.

The development and commercialization of Smart City solutions hold great growth potential for Denmark, and Business Region Aarhus is an ideal place for both Danish and foreign companies and knowledge institutions to develop and test "Smart City" solutions. The strength and attractiveness of the Aarhus area in IT and Smart City is also illustrated by the presence of foreign IT companies such as Apple, Google, IBM, and Uber.

Aarhus was the first city in Denmark to open an open data portal. Additionally, Smart Aarhus is strongly engaged in international collaboration through participation in EU projects and representation in international networks such as the Nordic Smart City Network, Open and Agile Smart Cities, and IoT-Forum. At the same time, we have created Internet Week Denmark, which is one of Denmark's largest digital events and will be held for the 8th time in 2022.

A Scandinavian third way

Outside of Denmark, Smart Aarhus' approach to digitalizing the city is viewed as "a Scandinavian third way" based on involving partners, users, and citizens. This differs from both the more commercial American and the more state-controlled Asian traditions of urban development. In addition, social, economic, and environmental sustainability plays a central role - both in Scandinavia and in Smart Aarhus' mindset.