AARHUS: A broad political majority in Aarhus City Council on Wednesday adopted a controversial proposal to expand the city's harbor by up to 84 hectares.
The decision has been in the works since 2018 and has been met with local resistance, rooted in fears that the harbor expansion will affect the climate, the view of Aarhus Bay and the marine environment.
But in the end, the city council's four largest parties, the Social Democrats, Conservatives, the Liberal Party and the Socialist Party, pushed the decision through, writes Jyllands-Posten.
- Aarhus is undergoing a historic transformation. A city where we need everyone and space for everyone. While the city is developing, our climate and environment are under severe pressure. We must change our habits, and it is a situation that calls for our political determination, Mayor Jacob Bundsgaard (S) said on Wednesday, according to the newspaper.
According to Århus Stiftstidende, the Port of Aarhus will be allowed to start by building an outer pier and expanding by 43 hectares. Jyllands-Posten writes that this phase is expected to be completed in 2030. The city council may in the future decide on a further expansion of up to 84 hectares.
Seven city council members of the 31 in Aarhus voted against the proposal. These are members from the Danish Social Democrats, the Unity List and the Danish Democrats, as well as the two independents Thure Hastrup and Henrik Arens, according to Århus Stiftstidende.
- In the Social Liberal Party, we think that this is a very sad decision for several reasons, said city council member Metin Lindved Aydin (R) according to Århus Stiftstidende.
Port Director of Aarhus Thomas Haber Borch is excited about the final adoption.
- Throughout the process, we have experienced support from businesses and many Aarhusians. But there have also been many attitudes and emotions at play in this project, he says in a press release from the Port of Aarhus.
/ritzau/
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