Travbyen

Living in Travbyen

Living in Travbyen is a choice – a choice of a vibrant community in the heart of the city. Here, people of all ages and backgrounds meet in an open, inclusive, and informal atmosphere. Ideas quickly turn into action, and engagement flourishes in everything from shared meals and community events to spontaneous gatherings. Everyone contributes to the sense of togetherness – and that is what makes Travbyen feel like home. Several languages are spoken here, but above all, people talk with each other.

Travbyen is a green oasis in the middle of the city – a place where nature is a natural part of everyday life. The homes and surrounding outdoor areas are designed to allow both privacy and social interaction. Residents value the green surroundings, the flexible shared spaces, and the close access to recreational areas. Children can play and move about safely, while adults find room for peace, inspiration, and creativity.

Living in Travbyen is also a conscious choice of an everyday life built on care and consideration. Community life is highly valued, and sustainable choices are visible wherever you go. Cars are guests here and take up as little space as possible, allowing daily life to unfold between the houses. Tenants and owners alike have a say in how the community develops, and people help each other create a safe, vibrant, and responsible neighbourhood.

We look forward to welcoming you to Travbyen.

The Communities

The community house in Travbyen is the heart of the neighbourhood – a place where residents can gather for everything from shared dinners and creative workshops to celebrations and meetings. The building offers bright, flexible rooms, cosy corners, and a large, well-equipped kitchen, creating space for both small and large events. It is also where neighbours can meet for a cup of coffee or join spontaneous activities. The community house and other shared facilities belong to the neighbourhood and will be managed by residents through the Travbyen Community Association.

Travbyen also includes two “neighbourhood rooms”, located on two floors in the same building. These rooms are designed to accommodate a wide range of everyday activities – play, yoga, creative projects, or simply relaxation – and help make it easy to build close connections in daily life. If you choose to live in Travbyen, you will have a say in how these spaces are used. Since only a few homes in Travbyen have space for large private gatherings, the neighbourhood rooms are also intended as an extra living room that residents can use for birthdays or other occasions.

Guest rooms give opportunity for residents to host family or friends overnight without hassle. The rooms are simple and functional, allowing visitors to stay comfortably while still having their own private space. This way, guests can be welcomed for a short stay without compromising privacy at home. Guest rooms can only be booked by Travbyen residents.

At the central “City Office”, residents can enjoy a cup of coffee, work alongside others from the neighbourhood, and meet Travbyen’s Community Manager – a dedicated coordinator employed to strengthen the community and ensure that everyone feels welcome and heard.

The Community Manager supports residents’ ideas, coordinates activities, helps launch new initiatives, and serves as a link between residents and administration. They are often the first to greet new residents, introduce them to life in Travbyen, and ensure that news, events, and practical updates reach everyone.

The Associations

The Travbyen Community Association is the epicentre of neighbourhood life.Its purpose is to strengthen togetherness, create inspiring events, and help develop Travbyen into a lively and inclusive place to live. Community life grows through residents’ own initiatives – from film clubs, summer parties, parent groups, and flea markets to shared projects and simple, everyday encounters.

All residents are members of the Community Association, which collectively plans and carries out activities, often in close collaboration with the Community Manager. The association welcomes everyone living in Travbyen and encourages both new and long-standing residents to share ideas and take part in community life. In this way, the association becomes a natural focal point where people shape their everyday life together, and where cooperation and mutual support can thrive.

The association is run by an elected board. It manages its own budget and decides how to allocate its funds within that framework.

Each courtyard in Travbyen has its own Parcel Association. These smaller, self-governing groups bring neighbours together to strengthen the local sense of community and to handle practical tasks in shared courtyard areas. This might include communal gardening, small events, or neighbourly help. Through these parcel associations, residents have great influence over how their courtyard is used and how life in each cluster evolves.

The Travbyen Homeowners’ Association looks after the shared interests of all property owners in the district. It is responsible for maintaining and operating the common streets, paths, waste management, and green areas, ensuring that Travbyen continues to be an attractive and well-functioning place to live.

The Homes

The homes in Travbyen are diverse and designed with a focus on functionality, low environmental impact, and a sense of community. They range in size from 41 to 165 sqm – a deliberate choice to promote a smaller climate footprint. In return, the many shared facilities are meant to be seen as an extension of your home – including the neighbourhood rooms, the City Office, and the guest rooms.

Most homes have either a private balcony or an open terrace facing the courtyard, which serves as a shared garden for residents.

To reduce the overall climate impact, the homes in Travbyen are built with care for the environment. Recycled materials have been used wherever possible, and the construction methods were chosen to minimise resource use and waste. This means that the materials are not only durable and timeless but also contribute to lower CO₂ emissions throughout the lifespan of the buildings.

Travbyen is built around communities, which is why the homes in Travbyen must be used for year-round residence. They may not be rented out, either in whole or in part, as short-term rentals via Airbnb or similar providers. This applies to both rental and owner-occupied homes.

The Area

At the heart of Travbyen lies the Green Heart – a natural area with a stream, meadows, and play spaces connected by the Playline. This area is designed to accommodate both peaceful walks, picnics, and social activities throughout the year. You’ll find wetlands, wildflowers, and important habitats for local birds and insects. The Green Heart is planned to invite enjoyment while still protecting nature and the changing seasons. It’s not only a place for relaxation, but an essential part of Travbyen’s identity – where nature is always close to everyday life. The Green Heart is owned and maintained by Billund Municipality.

Travbyen also includes a §3 protected area – a special nature reserve where efforts focus on preserving biodiversity and landscape values. Some sections will be fenced off, and dogs must remain outside these areas to ensure the right conditions for native species to thrive.

Billund is a so-called 15-minute city, meaning that everything can be reached by bike within 15 minutes: workplaces, schools, supermarkets – and even an international airport, which makes Billund a truly unique place to live.

Practical Information

Parking and Transport

Cars are guests in Travbyen, but parking has been organised to meet residents’ needs while supporting the area’s focus on safe streets and a lively urban environment. Drop-off and pick-up are possible in front of the homes, and limited short-term parking is possible.

Two parking facilities will be built in the next phase of Travbyen. Until these are ready, parking will take place at ground level. During this phase, parking is free of charge for residents; later, a parking fee will apply.

Residents will also have access to car-sharing established in cooperation with Byens Bil.

In Travbyen, bicycle parking is available close to every home. There are both private and shared bike racks distributed across the communal areas. In addition, bicycles can be rented or borrowed through the Travbyen Community Association.

Pets

In approximately half of the homes in the first phase, residents are welcome to have one dog or an indoor cat, as well as smaller pets. This allows space for both those who share their homes with four-legged family members and those who prefer pet-free areas – for example, out of consideration for allergies.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in Travbyen’s homes or shared areas. This applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces. The Green Heart and the Playline will be owned and managed by Billund Municipality, which sets the rules for their respective areas.

Waste and Circular Initiatives

All residents are required to sort their waste and care for the environment. The goal is to support a circular mindset through initiatives such as a swap market, a shared workshop, and programmes that help reduce food waste.