It is important that the objectives for Aarhus 2017 are not limited to the project only, but to Aarhus as a city in the coming years. The existing development plans for Aarhus need to be incorporated concurrently with the plans for the European Capital of Culture objectives making the two influence each other in a positive way and producing a new vision of Aarhus as a city.
Alongside the key word "culture", the term "creative city" is a central theme in many cities' visions - since the term culture should not be seen as a limited denomination, but rather as a comprehensive and global concept, being a central point in the city's self-perception. The city's infrastructure is a key point as well - the focus should be on how to turn the public spaces of the city into the natural gathering point and democratic spaces. Urbanization plays a key role as well where the city's spaces can be altered in to new forms and ways of use creating new networks and alliances across cultures in its broadest sense and conceiving new ways of interacting in the civil society.
When stating objectives for Aarhus 2017, it is necessary to think outside the box. They are not limited to the event year, but will characterize Aarhus as a city in future years as well. Our objectives must be viable, providing global relevance and interest to the citizens of Aarhus long after the event year.
The completion of the cultural mapping of Aarhus and Region Midtjylland in 2009 has given us a rough outline of the objectives defining Aarhus as European Capital of Culture in 2017.