Nordkraft is a former powerplant in the centre of Aalborg that now functions as a hub for cultural and sports activities. Different stakeholders within the 30.000 m2 building organise musical and martial arts education. There is also space for theatre performances and concerts.
The building was established in 1947 as a power plant. To accommodate increasing electricity usage of the city, the power plant saw several expansions, among them a central heating plant. Electricity production was halted in 1997 and the building finally closed in 1999. The municipality of Aalborg bought the property in 2004 and started renovation in 2007. The first cultural activities took place in the building in 2009. [1]
Nordkraft is a centre for cultural and sports activities as well as a place to gather for the local community. The former power plant now has approximately 30.000 m2 available for cultural and leisure activities and is home to theatre performances and concerts, musical education, as well as different types of physical education. [4] There is a health centre, several sports facilities, including Denmark’s largest indoor climbing wall, and a range of cafes and restaurants. A monthly food market is organised, as well as changing events ranging from photo exhibitions to street performances. It is also home to Dreamhouse – a business innovative facility for small companies and entrepreneurs who operate on the intersection of culture, creativity and business. [1]
Nordkraft is realised through a cooperation of different stakeholders from the public sector, cultural institutions and the sport sector. Together, they aim to realise the ‘Nordkraftvisionen’, a vision that guides the emergence of novel forms of expression that combine culture and sports. [1]
The municipality of Aalborg acquired the building in 2004. It has created 16 sections within the building, some of which have been sold to other stakeholders, others are rented out. The municipality still owns around 6.500 m2 of the former power plant. The rest of the building is used by other actors that organise cultural and sports activities, including DGI Huset, Skråen and several smaller actors. [1] The University of Aalborg also bought parts of the building, which it uses for its educational programmes.
All stakeholders that operate from the building are represented in the Owner’s Association. This association owns all common areas in Nordkraft, which are managed by Aalborg municipality. [2]
The initial funding of around €55 million for the renovation of the building was provided by the municipality. Parts of the building were sold to other stakeholders, while the maintenance of the common areas is handled by the municipality. [3;5]
Nordkraft – en kraftfuld vision, available on https://nordkraft.dk/UserFiles/Dokumenter/Nordkraft_-_en_kraftfuld_vision.pdf, accessed on 15-09-2022
Nordkraft, organisational website, available on https://nordkraft.dk/nordkraft-i-tal-fakta.aspx, accessed on 15-09-2022
Byens ejendom, article on Nordkraft, available on https://byensejendom.dk/article/cubo-arkitekter-og-aalborg-kommune-i-forlig-i-gammel-tvist-om-nordkraft-22434, accessed on 15-09-2022
Nordkraft, activities website, available on https://nordkraft.dk/virksomheder-institutioner-i-nordkraft/laering.aspx, accessed on 26-10-2022
Nordkraft, history of, available on https://nordkraft.dk/nordkraft-historien.aspx, accessed on 26-10-2022