The award, by Philips Lighting and LUCI (Lighting Urban Community International), honours urban lighting projects that transform cities, increase safety and boost economic development. The award was presented at a ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, 4 November, with the participation of Aalborg's city architect. The motivation for the Award states that “The ‘House of Music Area’ is part of a larger renovation project that was geared towards transforming the Aalborg waterfront from an industrialised zone into a vibrant University City and buzzing cultural hub. The design embraced the local heritage of the site and used stakeholder analysis to ensure the space was not only attractive, but also inviting to local residents, students, and visitors to the city.” Bringing the Harbour back to the City The Aalborg Waterfront is already known as one of Denmark's most popular harbour transformations and the latest sections, designed by C.F. Møller Landscape, have added new qualities and opportunities which continue the idea of giving the harbour back to the city and connecting the central city quarters with the Lim Fjord. In the new space, lighting intertwines with the natural backdrop of the waterfront creating a unique landscape throughout the day and even at night. The space is adaptive and dynamic ensuring the perfect environment is created no matter the event, exhibition or season. This is achieved through tailored lighting solutions. The project has already won numerous prizes and awards such as the Nordic Green Space Award, the Civic Trust Award, the Aalborg Municipality Architecture Prize, The honorary award of the Danish Construction Industry, the Danish Lighting Awards and the Danish Road Prize; and in October this year, the Aalborg Municipality was awarded the Town Planning Prize 2016 specifically for the development of the waterfront. Focus on liveability It was a proud and happy city architect from Aalborg, Peder Baltzer Nielsen, who received the award in Seoul: "Like any award, it was exciting to hear the third place announced. It went to Emmen in Holland, and second place went to the South Korean capital Seoul. To win over such great projects is amazing. And to get yet another award for our waterfront within the same month is even more amazing. The criteria for this award focused especially on "Liveability" – i.e. how to establish a vibrant city. Aalborg has achieved this, and the lighting award highlights a port conversion project that is a unique tribute to the long-term thinking that has made the transformation of Aalborg's old industrial waterfront into the public waterfront it is today possible. It matches the university city of Aalborg, and it is a great recognition for all - politicians, participants in the project and the design team who all deserve this award”, says Peder Baltzer Nielsen. About the City.People.Light award The international City.People.Light award was created by Philips Lighting and LUCI, the international network of cities on urban lighting, in 2003. Over the years, it has honoured multiple cities for their sustainable urban development projects that utilise light to enhance the environment and lives of local citizens. LUCI received over 30 nominations for the 14th edition of the prize.

 

Read more at the LUCI website
More about the House of Music Area
More about the Aalborg Waterfront