Carrying Capacity study for Aalborg city centre: Whitepaper

This whitepaper presents a pilot study evaluating Aalborg’s carrying capacity as a tourism destination, developed as part of efforts to align with the global destination sustainability (GDS) index. The study explores both environmental and social carrying capacity, identifying potential hotspots in Aalborg’s city center where tourism activities could lead to imbalances between visitor satisfaction, resident quality of life, and environmental protection. The research was conducted by International Hospitality Management students at University College of Northern Denmark, who collected data through observations, measurements, and vox pops (short interviews) with residents, tourists, and employees in key areas in the city center. Findings highlight generally good waste management and cleanliness in Aalborg but also point to challenges such as litter near the train station, cigarette waste, noise, and overcrowding in nightlife and shopping areas. Recommendations include adding more waste bins and recycling options, improving signage, creating designated smoking and cycling areas, and better managing tourist flow in sensitive historic streets. The study supports the opinion that carrying capacity should not be seen as a fixed number but as a strategic tool for destination development. The proposed hands-on methodology offers a replicable, low-cost, and educationally valuable approach to assessing tourism pressure in urban destinations.