A holistic approach to urban and regional planning 1
A wide range of challenges
Some main approaches A holistic approach Land use planning as sustainable planning Renewing, simplifying and improving planning and map policy. State planning guidelines for coordinated housing, land use and transport planning National Transport Plan Research on urban issues Networking 3
Oslo city region, a planning problem? Built-up area in 3 counties & 11 municipalities Commuting zone in 6 counties & 36 municipalities
Municipal level Area plans can only be adopted by authority based on elected governance. There are three such authority levels: State planning authority (Ministry of local government and modernisation) Regional planning authority (the county council - 19) Local planning authority (the municipal council- 428) 428 municipalities that differ widely in terms of their geography, area and population figures More than half these municipalities have less than 5,000 inhabitants 12 municipalities have more than 50,000 inhabitants The Planning and Building Act tool for safeguarding the public interest and managing land use. Planning pursuant to the Act shall ensure sustainable development for the whole country It is open to everybody to take part in decisions that concern their surroundings. Photo: Magnar Danielsen
Renewing, simplifying and improving planning policy Easier, faster, simpler, clearer, smarter and better. - Predictable engagement from the public sector - Remove unnecessary time-consuming processes - Continue with the necessary and good processes - Bring attention to the conflicts early so that they can be eliminated as obstacles Land use plans High level of planning activity 2,000 and 3,000 land use plans, zoning plans and municipal master plans adopted every year. Cases of objections that are not resolved through the planning process and mediation efforts are sent to the Ministry for final decision. The last 10 years there have been a slight increase in the proportion of land use plans that are met with objections, which is now between 20 and 30 per cent. With a new Government we see a noticeable reduction so far in 2014
National Transport Plan The growth in passenger transport in urban areas must be absorbed by public transport, cycling and walking. Globalization, rising incomes and rapid population growth make it necesarry to increase the capacity and quality of the transport system. At the same time, the transport sector, particularly in urban areas, must be developed in a more environmentally friendly way to curb greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful environmental effects. The new urban environment agreements entail a more comprehensive approach in urban policy whereby the government, county authorities and municipalities unite in negotiations and undertake to pursue joint objectives enshrined in the urban environment agreement. 7
State planning guidelines for coordinated housing, land use and transport planning OBJECTIVES Planning of land use and transport systems shall promote socio-economic and efficient utilisation of resources, good traffic safety and efficient traffic management. Sustainable cities and towns Regional plans, clarifying development patterns Long-term boundaries Coordinated development patterns and transport systems 8
State planning guidelines for coordinated housing, land use and transport planning GUIDELINES for coordination of housing, land use and transport planning Regional plans Coordinated High-density land use, concentration and transformation Building on what is already there Public transport Bicycling and walking Location of commercial activities Commercial transport Green infrastructure and adaption to climate change Universal design 9
State planning guidelines for coordinated housing, land use and transport planning GUIDELINES for collaboration and responsibility for execution Municipalities, county municipalities and state authorities must collaborate Regional planning forums County municipalities must use the guidelines Coordination Municipalities must use adopted regional plans as basis Municipalities, county municipal and state bodies and enterprises must use these guidelines as a basis for location of their own activites Input must be submitted early Plans which are not in compliance with the guidelines may provide grounds for objections or protests. State and regional authorities must emphasise local democracy when they evaluate whether or not to raise objections or protest. 10
Research on urban issues Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) Urban Europe Programme for policy development in the four largest urban areas (Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim) Foto: Marianne Gjørv, Guro Voss Gabrielsen 11
Networking Urban development is first and foremost a municipal responsability State level: coordinating, creating network of shared knowledge, best practice and open dialogue. Foto: Marianne Gjørv, Guro Voss Gabrielsen 12
Important topics for national expectations: Central government planning guidelines Central government planning provisions Central government land-use State agency plan initiative Objection decisions Energy and climate Transport and Infrastructure Urban development Business development and economic growth Nature, cultural heritage and landscape Health and local environment Review of national policy every fourth year For the first time in 2011 Next to be made in 2015