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Insights AtkinsRéalis vs the Climate: Helping to protect against flooding in Horsens, Denmark

Located on the banks of the Horsens Fjord, and surrounded by watercourses, this beautiful city is extremely exposed to water level rises. Indeed, in the last few decades, there have been several floods – the largest of which caused major damage in the lower parts of the city.


AtkinsRéalis is the total consultant for Horsens Municipality. Our diverse teams have come together to realise a highly innovative solution. It won’t just protect the city against floods, it’s also pivotal in solving longstanding traffic issues. 


When finished in 2025, the project will have a huge impact on the people of Horsens – while also protecting the area’s abundant wildlife.


image of the Horsens project in Denmark


Multi-talented teams. Multi-layer thinking


Our teams excel at projects requiring a collaboration of different skills and ideas. In Horsens, people from 3D design and geo-technical assessment, project management, phase planning and construction logistics teams are all working together to achieve the most sustainable solution.

The result incorporates the new dam into the Municipality’s ring-road development, taking traffic across the fjord. The dam itself forms part of a complex, multi-layer storm surge protection – including a new sluice, lock and Archimedes pumping system capable of pumping 30 m3/s of water into the fjord.


It’s one of the country’s most efficient systems for climate protection – something of great pride to locals.


Sensitive to wildlife – and those who love the wild life


Horsens Fjord isn’t just an area of outstanding beauty, it’s a favourite destination for nature lovers and home to otters, fish and birdlife.  


So, as part of the construction, one of the tunnels will be a fauna passage, designed for the otters and other creatures that live close to the river and the fjord.


What’s more, the aesthetics of the sluice and pumping system have been carefully designed to blend naturally into the surrounding landscape. Elements such as the lock provide iconic new landmarks for hikers and sailors – a boost to local tourism.

Flood-free future


By 2025, the residents of Horsens will enjoy more peace of mind. And as more cities are forced to protect their futures from climate change, our diverse, highly-skilled teams are engineering exciting solutions across a vast array of geologies and infrastructures. 


When you join us, your work has a real, lasting impact on communities across the world – while also doing what’s best for the environment.


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