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Friday 29 May 2015

Aero Island in Denmark: Behind the times or way ahead?

They call this place 'Aeroe - The Fairytale Museum Island in Denmark':
Ærø - Aero Denmark, Aeroe Island Denmark, Aeroe Guide

It is charming:




Aeroeskoebing, Denmark - a 17th century island cobblestone village. Just 22 miles long with U-shaped barns. | Bon Voyage | Pinterest



Google Image Result for http://www.coast-alive.eu/sites/default/files/article/images/aero_island_southdenmarkb.jpg

But it's also a place looking to the future:



Aero Island, Denmark /Blend of Medieval churches and space-age power - SFGate



Denmark leads the charge in renewable energy | European Elections 2014 | DW.DE | 02.05.2014

An interesting question:

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009

Aero Island in Denmark: Behind the Times or Way Ahead?

Aero is a small, idyllic island off the coast of Svenborg. To many people it is a quaint, historic relic, clinging to its past architectural and economic heritage. But, for us, their impressive ability to preserve and restore historical buildings, sites and landscapes, and their unique form of using renewable energy for most of the island’s needs is really quite progressive and certainly sustainable. Aero’s economy is mostly agricultural and tourism based; the island has three small towns (as a result of dividing up the original island land holding amongst three brothers); and it boasts one of the highest levels of renewable energy in the world, all based on local resources and design ingenuity. Our host for our day on Aero was Jess Heinemann, the community’s engineer involved in renewable energy as well as historic preservation. In fact, there seems to be little that Jess is not involved with. He lives in a restored historic house in Aeroskobing, the first town you encounter as you depart the ferry.

Aeroskobing remains as it has for hundreds of years with narrow cobblestone streets, historic houses and shops, and intimate plazas and public spaces. Their regulations for preserving history are strict and exacting, leaving little room for change and growth. Even windows and doors must conform to historic requirements. While this may seem limiting, it is designed to fulfill the community’s vision and serves to give the island its charm and tourist appeal. Preserving and reusing older buildings is a sustainable activity for various reasons: (1) retains the embodied energy of a built structure; (2) does not require new energy for construction; and (3) maintains physical scale and character at a time when auto use did not exist. They make provisions to upgrade buildings for energy efficiency, insulation and improved lighting and heating. Still, for many, the restrictions are too onerous and creativity in design reduced.
Sustainable Design: Aero Island in Denmark: Behind the Times or Way Ahead?

Denmark seems to be offering a positive future:
Solutions from Copenhagen & the Island of Aero in Denmark - Tom Brandstetter - YouTube
Isle of plenty - Denmark leading the way in reducing CO2 emissions | News | Sustainable Procurement | Action Sustainability
Brave little Denmark leads war against coal | Al Jazeera America
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