Tønder Midtby

Tønder Midtby is a comprehensive project for the climate adaptation and transformation of the urban spaces of Tønder, an historical town located in Southern Jutland, at the border with Germany.

The necessity of a climate adaptation plan for Tønder to manage the frequent storm waters is transformed into an opportunity to enhace its history and identity, reorganizing the public spaces to respond to the needs of the local community and visitors and reconnecting the city center with the water and green spaces.

Tønder´s long history started as a harbour city, when the first settlement had direct access to the sea. In the 16th century however, due to land reclamation works in the wetlands, the harbor recessed and the town lost its status as a harbour. A close connection to the water was maintained until the 1930s, where the port at the Skibbroen was filled up.

While respecting and enhancing the strong historical heritage of the town, the transformation of urban spaces and climate adaptation of Tønder Midtby re-introduces the water in the city and combines the green and blue qualities with an attractive and diversified urban life that enhances the town´s identity and features.

Over time the project has grown in size allowing for the development of a unique and holistic strategy, slowly but surely lifting the entire area into a league of its own.

Part I: The Sculpture Park
With the establishment of an activity strip, a new and attractive climate park combines climate adaptation, urban nature and various urban space activities. The activity strip is surrounded by several educational and cultural institutions, including a high school, a primary school and a library. The activity strip is designed with these functions and the various target groups in mind while also reconnecting the city center to the water as well as recreational activities.

Part II: The Cloudburst Park
A significant part of the town’s water system has been disconnected from the sewage system and instead directed towards a large cloudburst park, which in itself can handle an 85-year flood. This solution makes it possible to design new waterways in the historical town.

Part III: Tønder Midtby
Highly complex technical climate solutions have been gently integrated into the historical town in order to safeguard its listed buildings and accentuate the beauty and history of existing materials. New gutters have been integrated into the cobblestone streets turning the town’s waterflow into an enjoyable experience as it moves from a to b. Rainwater gardens and permeable asphalt climate roads are other solutions with the capacity to absorb large amounts of water.

With the transformation of the urban space at Skibbroen, a multifunctional space invites for play and activity as well as spots for rest and recreation, and functions as a new gateway to Tønder’s historical city center. The lively public square is decorated with a central and artistic water mirror which with a discreet indentation in the pavement will create a beautiful and active focal point for city life. The plaza is well defined through its disposition and kept open so that it can be used for various purposes – such as a market place or square, Christmas market or event space during the local festival.

During the excavation for the new climate road, archeaologists discovered Tønder Midtby’s original old harbour front – an essential part of the town’s history and identity. An underground exhibition of the harbour front has been integrated into the overall project in collaboration with Museum Sønderjylland and JAC Studio.

The project is part of the Tøndermarsk Initiativet, a collaboration between Realdania, AP Møller and Hustru Chastine Mc-Kinney Møllers Fond for Almene Formaal, the Nordea Foundation and the municipality of Tønder to develop the Tønder marsh, making the area even more attractive to visit, live and work in.