Museums and Inclusive Communities

The paper investigates the role of museums as public spaces in the city. By bridging literature in urban planning and museum studies, we examine the physical spaces museums create and how the public interacts within these spaces. Our analysis centers on ARoS, an art museum, and Den Gamle By, an open-air history museum, in Aarhus, Denmark. We utilize a combination of site visits, archival documents, and website to analyze the impact of these museums on urban design and their engagement with the public. This research contributes to our understanding of museums as public spaces by articulating several aspects of their connection with the urban fabric. It illustrates how museums function not only as landmarks, but also as site imbued with civic and cultural values, and extend their impact beyond their physical boundaries. Moreover, this paper highlights museums’ impact beyond just physical presence. It emphasizes their role in facilitating debates, informal learning, social interactions, and fostering inclusion within their spaces. This research underscore how museums are dynamic spaces that contribute to the urban fabrics and engage with the public fostering a cultural and civic dialogue. 

The paper investigates the role of museums as public spaces in the city. By bridging literature in urban planning and museum studies, we examine the physical spaces museums create and how the public interacts within these spaces. Our analysis centers on ARoS, an art museum, and Den Gamle By, an open-air history museum, in Aarhus, Denmark. We utilize a combination of site visits, archival documents, and website to analyze the impact of these museums on urban design and their engagement with the public. This research contributes to our understanding of museums as public spaces by articulating several aspects of their connection with the urban fabric. It illustrates how museums function not only as landmarks, but also as site imbued with civic and cultural values, and extend their impact beyond their physical boundaries. Moreover, this paper highlights museums’ impact beyond just physical presence. It emphasizes their role in facilitating debates, informal learning, social interactions, and fostering inclusion within their spaces. This research underscore how museums are dynamic spaces that contribute to the urban fabrics and engage with the public fostering a cultural and civic dialogue. 

The paper investigates the role of museums as public spaces in the city. By bridging literature in urban planning and museum studies, we examine the physical spaces museums create and how the public interacts within these spaces. Our analysis centers on ARoS, an art museum, and Den Gamle By, an open-air history museum, in Aarhus, Denmark. We utilize a combination of site visits, archival documents, and website to analyze the impact of these museums on urban design and their engagement with the public. This research contributes to our understanding of museums as public spaces by articulating several aspects of their connection with the urban fabric. It illustrates how museums function not only as landmarks, but also as site imbued with civic and cultural values, and extend their impact beyond their physical boundaries. Moreover, this paper highlights museums’ impact beyond just physical presence. It emphasizes their role in facilitating debates, informal learning, social interactions, and fostering inclusion within their spaces. This research underscore how museums are dynamic spaces that contribute to the urban fabrics and engage with the public fostering a cultural and civic dialogue.