LARGE COMPANIES ARE NOT JUST ENGINES OF GROWTH – THEY ALSO SHAPE THE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES THEY ARE PART OF.
Estate Media published an interview with Kalundborg’s mayor, Martin Damm, about the need for 300 temporary student housing units – and more broadly, the need for housing to accommodate the many new residents expected as Novo Nordisk expands. The interview was later republished in Byrummonitor.
The real question is how global companies impact their local environments – and whether we can learn from their contributions to urban development.
Kalundborg is undergoing rapid transformation, with growth in both business and educational institutions. Novo Nordisk continues to attract more students and employees, but housing development is lagging behind. So far, the solution has been temporary housing and ad hoc fixes – but that doesn’t foster a vibrant urban environment or make Kalundborg an attractive place to settle.
This is not a new situation for Kalundborg. The need could have been anticipated years ago. Urban development, the location of educational institutions, and business investments must go hand in hand.
When we look at Billund and Sønderborg, LEGO and Danfoss have actively contributed to their cities’ development, forging strong connections between business, the city, and education. Kalundborg lacks this kind of cohesive strategy. Instead of reacting with short-term housing solutions, Kalundborg – together with Novo Nordisk – should take the lead in creating an integrated plan where businesses, the municipality, and educational institutions collaborate to develop Kalundborg as an attractive city of knowledge and industry.
By ensuring permanent housing, investing in urban life and infrastructure, and strengthening ties between companies and educational environments, Kalundborg can become a city where people not only work – but want to live. That benefits both Novo Nordisk, by attracting and retaining talent, and Kalundborg, by reinforcing its position as Denmark’s leading biotech city.
The pressing question is: Should Kalundborg be a city people are transported to – or a city people choose to live in?
Or maybe what’s really needed… is some professional planning.