The views expressed on this website are my own.
Director · Technical and Environmental ServicesHenrik Seiding is Director of Technical and Environmental Services at the City of Aarhus. He leads work on climate, mobility, urban development, nature, the environment and the city's physical infrastructure, combining a long-term perspective with attention to everyday life in Aarhus.
Reflections on political leadership, public administration and the development of attractive, sustainable cities. Articles are linked in their original language; most are in Danish.
Strategy is about more than setting goals. It means developing an organisation's ability to turn political ambitions into tangible results, and having the courage to make choices.
Culture, art and sport should be seen as investments that create places and value, rather than additions made after a city has been built.
Municipally owned companies do more than operate services and set tariffs. They manage critical infrastructure and can be important drivers of the green transition.
On population growth, stages of life and the role of housing policy in maintaining diverse cities with social balance and cohesion.
Lessons from the pandemic on trust, flexibility and a workplace defined by its tasks rather than the walls of an office.
An essay on considering urban challenges together and developing integrated solutions across traditional professional boundaries.
What makes a city an attractive place to live? This article draws on responses from more than 3,200 residents in seven of Denmark's largest cities.
An international perspective on quality of life, sustainable urban development and the dilemmas that future cities must address. Original article in English.
An invitation to a study tour focusing on performance management, urban development and learning from international experience.
Read the archive textConversations about leading an organisation, inviting constructive challenge and developing cities with attention to density and quality of life. Both podcasts are in Danish.
My task is to unite the organisation around a clear purpose and a few priorities. When direction, values and responsibilities are clear, decisions should be made close to the work. Shared direction does not mean uniform leadership.
I want an open, informal leadership culture that welcomes different perspectives. Mistakes should lead to learning, and sound reasoning should be able to change both decisions and my own views.
Leadership requires a view of the whole and a willingness to help others succeed. We must take personal responsibility for shaping solutions, even when it is difficult, and spend less energy on explanations beyond our control.
Good advice to elected representatives makes options, consequences and dilemmas clear. It respects decisions while having the courage to challenge constructively and speak up when something is professionally, financially or administratively unsound.
Leadership experience in local government, central government and international consultancy, with a lasting interest in turning strategic ambitions into results.
Responsible for 1,600 employees and areas including climate, urban development, mobility, architecture, nature, the environment and municipal property. Principal adviser to the responsible elected executive and a member of the city's executive management team.
Led public-sector consultancy in the Nordic countries, Germany and Brussels: 200 employees and approximately DKK 200 million in revenue. Brought six country offices together in one division.
Global responsibility for urban and societal strategy across architecture, planning, mobility, the environment and climate. Developed the Sustainable Societies and Liveable Cities strategy.
Advised municipalities, ministries and international organisations on urban development, sustainable growth, governance and strategy.
Centre for Quality, Simplification and Management. Worked on the More Time for Welfare programme and a new management framework for government agencies.
Roles as head of division, deputy director, department manager, special adviser and project manager, covering municipal finance, structural reform, digital government and public-sector strategy.
“Being entrusted with leadership brings responsibility. Leadership is action.”
Personal leadership principles