By Thomas Møller Christensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.
Photo: Jens Hasse

By Thomas Møller Christensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.
Photo: Jens Hasse

Jesper Ole Jensen does research on urban renewal and the housing market with a special focus on how public and private actors can work together to create urban renewal that is both inclusive and sustainable.

"The amazing thing about my research area is how close it is to reality. It's about the places we all live our lives. It’s about understanding how cities can create a better framework for life – in a way that also takes climate into account," says Jesper Ole Jensen.

When Jesper Ole Jensen has time off, he often takes a walk in the Northwest streets where he can experience urban renewal up close – from small, creative projects to major transformations.

"Northwest is like a living lab where the industrial buildings of the past meet today's creative initiatives. It’s in constant development, and it’s exciting to experience how the changes both create new life and build on the area's history," says Jesper Ole Jensen.

Jesper Ole Jensen's fascination with urban development began during his studies at the Technical University of Denmark where he lived in an old dormitory with a group of architecture students.

"They had so many ideas for reimagining buildings and urban spaces, and it lit a spark in me. I began to see cities as places full of potential – not just for those who live there, but also as part of larger social development," says Jesper Ole Jensen.

For Jesper Ole Jensen, it is precisely the constant development and movement in cities as they change that makes the work so inspiring.

"Urban development never stops. It's always moving, and that's what makes my work so interesting," says Jesper Ole Jensen.