BERGEN TROMS KRISTIANSAND Ø FREDRIKSTAD GAMLE OSLO€¦ · FREDRIKSTAD GAMLE OSLO BERGEN TROMS Ø A Co-operation Project Recommendations THE SUSTAINABLE CITIES PROGRAMME Public transport

Main recommendations from the Sustainable Cities Programme:A. A comprehensive policy for sustainable urban develop-

ment in a long-term perspective should be developedB. It is necessary to develop a sustainable structure for

urban areas as a framework for investmentsC. Development of more sustainable cities requires

new forms of organisation and co-operation. It isnecessary to ensure co-ordination between thedifferent bodies and levels of the administration,especially with regard to:

- regional planning of the whole urban conglomeration- urban transport, where the planning and financing of

transport is considered for all modes as a whole- sub-areas which require special consideration like

downtown centres and local communitiesD. Public authorities must stimulate environmentally

friendly actions and patterns of consumption amongthe population and businesses

Specific recommendations are given to the different parties, including:- Central authorities- Regional authorities- Municipalities

The Sustainable Cities Programme in Norway hasbeen an experimental development project in fiveurban municipalities with the objective of achievingmore environmentally friendly cities.The projectwas started in 1993 and finished in the year of 2000.

Each of the priority areas listed below has had itsown professional group with representatives fromthe cities, ministries and directorates, researchersand experts.

• Land-use and transport planning Headed by the Ministry of the Environment

• Centre development Headed by the Ministry of the Environment

• Urban housing and local communities Headed by the Ministry of the Municipal andRegional Affairs and the State Housing Bank

• Green structure, natural areas and outdoor recreation Headed by the Directorate for NatureManagement

• Cultural heritage and urban design Headed by the Directorate for the CulturalHeritage

Five Norwegian Cities

KRISTIANSAND

FREDRIKSTAD

GAMLE OSLOBERGEN

TROMSØ

A Co-operation Project Recommendations

THE SUSTAINABLE CITIES PROGRAMME

Public transport is the backbone of a Sustainable City

2382 BrosjHovedplak(ENG)25x25cm 05.01.01 15:03 Side 3

LAND-USE AND TRANSPORT PLANNING

In an environmentally friendlyurban structure, the city centre,local communities and largeemployers are easily reachedby public transport. The publictransport system is the back-bone of urban development.Walking and cycling representimportant elements of thecity’s transport system.

New building projects shouldprimarily take place within theboundaries of built-up areas,and be closely connected to thesystem of public transport.

Green structures and histori-cally important urban environ-ments should be preserved inorder to achieve high qualitycity concentration.

1. Co-ordinated land-use and transportplanning must be accomplished for thewhole functional urban region

2. New developments should be concen-trated around the main public transportroutes in the city area

3. The downtown centre and local com-munities must be protected fromthrough traffic

4. Public transport must be given higherpriority as part of urban transport

5. Cycling and walking must be facilitatedand prioritised as important modes oftransport

6. The use of private cars should be restric-ted in areas with good public transport

7. Visual scenarios should be used as atool in the discussion of the city’s long-term development

8. "Soft instrument packages" emphasi-sing traffic regulation, public transport,and different measures for cycling andwalking, should replace or supplementlarge "road infrastructure packages" inthe cities

9. The government must redefine theinstitutional framework in order toachieve more comprehensive land-useand transport policy in the city regions

10.The counties must take initiatives todevelop more sustainable urban regions

11. Integrated land-use and transportplanning must be a key element of thepolicy making in the municipalities

A transport and land-use project in Kristiansand has defined amain corridor for urban development (1), which is consolidated bya new underground heating network (2). The development of newresidential buildings and city centre projects is linked to the mainbus routes (3, 4 and 5). Valuable green structures are preserved (6).

A project in Tromsø (1) has clarified the long term land use of thecity as a basis for more concentrated development in the centralparts of the city (2), in Strandkanten residential district (3) and inother areas. A project called "Bus 2000" has established newcommuter routes (4) and bus terminals (5).

A new city rail project in Bergen (1 and 2) is meant to contributeto a more concentrated urban development, like in Nesttun (3).A street terminal has been established in Olav Kyrres gate (4), andcycling is facilitated and encouraged (5).

Priorities Results Recommendations

1

2

2 1 4

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1

3

4

5

4

5

2 3 6


GREEN STRUCTURE

A continuous green structurecan consist of water and natu-ral areas, public recreationareas, parks and farmland.

In addition to giving thepopulation meeting placesand recreation the green areasare important for their well-being. The green structurelinks the different parts of thecity and helps to create "greencorridors" to the surroundingcountryside.

1. Important green structures should beidentified and serve as the basis forthe future pattern of development

2. Reestablishment and protection ofgreen corridors between the shore,the cultural landscape and the sur-rounding countryside should beemphasised

3. Protection of the green structurethrough approved plans andpurchase of land properties shouldbe strengthened

4. Local work with "green posters" and protection plans for the greenstructure should be strengthened

5. A professional forum for the develop-ment of green structure should beestablished, where the various bodiesand levels of the public administrationcan exchange experiences and ideas

6. It should be investigated how thePlanning and Building Act can bedeveloped in order to make it moreeffective with regard to preservationof important qualities of the greenstructure

7. The work on developing norms forthe green structure and the develop-ment of environmental indicatorsshould be continued

8. The green structure is an asset thatcan contribute to better publichealth. For this reason, closer co-operation should be establishedbetween environmental and healthauthorities at all levels

Like the other environmental friendly cities in Norway, the city ofTromsø has prepared a "Green Poster". This is a tool that clarifiesthe green values of the city/urban area.

The city of Bergen has established a green structure on the land-fill at Lungegårdsvann. This is a successful result of co-operationbetween an artist, a biologist and a landscape architect, and it iswell worth a visit. Photo: Solrunn Rones

The city of Fredrikstad has established several kilometres ofpedestrian walkways and cycle tracks in green surroundings.The paths connect the centre of the city with the surroundingcountryside. Photo: Anne Karine Halvorsen Thoren



CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

The downtown centre is thecore of an environmentallyfriendly urban structure.Substantial material valuesand culture-historical qualitiesprovide good potential fordevelopment.

Businesses, services andresidences located in thecentre are easiest to serve by public transport and areaccessible for more people by foot or bicycle.

1. A safe and vital centre should consistof a mix of dwellings, businesses andcultural activities

2. Streets, public piazzas and parksshould be rehabilitated and wellmaintained. Road traffic and streetparking should be reduced

3. Access to the centre should beimproved by giving priority to publictransport, walkways and cycle tracks,and effective delivery of goods

4. Car parking should mainly be organi-sed on the outskirts of the centralarea, and parking capacity should belimited where good public transportis available

5. The municipality should support thecentre as the city’s most importantmeeting place. National and regionalpolicies on transport, land use andlocalisation of new developmentsshould pull in the same direction

6. Residents and the commercial sectorshould be strongly involved in thedevelopment of strategies and plansfor the city centre

7. Committing co-operation should beestablished between real estatedevelopers/ property owners, thecommercial sector and differentservices/departments within themunicipality

Vågsbunnen, the oldest area of Bergen, has been transformedfrom a deprived part of the city to a varied and attractivedowntown community.

The river promenade in Fredrikstad has become a pleasantmeeting place, and now connects the river to the city.

When Grønlandsleiret in Oslo was transformed into anenvironment friendly street, road traffic was significantly reduced,the area became more attractive, and trade increased.



CULTURAL HERITAGE AND URBAN DESIGN

Features of the cultural heritageand cultural environments areimportant elements in anenvironmentally friendly urbanstructure. Densification maynegatively affect the uniquecharacter of the city and itshistorical values and patterns.

A policy of increased concentra-tion in the city centre and alongpublic transport corridorsshould therefor be implemen-ted only when new buildingsenhance the quality of publicplaces by further developingthe architectonic features andthe cultural heritage.

We need better co-ordinationbetween an active and differen-tiated public administration ofthe city’s cultural environmentsand the various new develop-ment initiatives, throughdeliberate urban design andcity planning.

The cities/municipalities should:

1. Develop a comprehensive concept ofwhat areas, structures and objects areof major importance for the city´scharacter and quality

2. Ensure that new buildings in designand dimensions support and streng-then the existing character and qualityof the environment

3. Make sure that necessary new elementsthat do not conform to the scale of theplace are positioned and designed aspositive landmarks

4. Make sure that knowledge on quality is continually collected, updated anddistributed to politicians and the publicat large. Raised knowledge throughinformation and dialogue increasespeoples willingness to take care of theircultural heritage

5. Establish close relations to the regionalcultural heritage authorities, with earlyinvolvement and active co-operation inall kinds of planning efforts

6. Recruit staff with solid professionalknowledge of urban development,urban design and cultural heritageprotection

The city of Kristiansand has produced booklets guiding on how to takecare of the two districts "Murbyen" and "Posebyen". Advice on how tomaintain and rehabilitate buildings of architectural value increasespeople’s knowledge and understanding of high quality workmanship.

"The cultural heritage base" - prepared by the Director of UrbanConservation in Bergen - is a method of mapping cultural environ-ments, structures and relationships that give areas their identity.When making plans for the area, elements of the cultural heritageshould be taken care of and integrated at an early stage.

The volume analysis in Tromsø presents three-dimensionalillustrations of possible urban development. This new computerisedtool improves the potential to update and develop alternativescenarios.



ACTIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Local communities, or neigh-bourhoods, are important ele-ments of the urban structure.The design and localisation oflocal communities is importantfor the environment and thequality of life.

Public transport and local cen-tres, with a variety of private andpublic services, should be foundwithin walking distance of theresidential areas. This will reducethe need of transport and havepositive welfare effects.

Children and adolescents mustbe able to walk or cycle to schooland after-school activities. Theresidents should participate acti-vely in the development of theirown neighbourhood and localcommunity.

1. Municipalities should be divided intolocal communities of suitable size toallow the residents and the third sector(NGOs) to participate in the local plan-ning. Often, the best solution is tobase the division on the primary orlower secondary school districts.

2. The municipality should prepare localplans or area plans in co-operationwith the residents. Plans and initiativesshould be founded on and integratedin the municipality’s ongoing planningand budget processes, in order to beeconomically realistic, and not onlyrepresent wishes and dreams.

3. If the local community wants to, a"neighbourhood committee" shouldbe established and this can serve as anarena for co-ordination of the resi-dents’ interests and function as liaisonbetween the residents, local organisa-tions and the municipality. Localbodies should be allocated funds forsecretarial assistance and minor initia-tives. Not everything can be based onidealism and voluntary effort.

4. In an active local community, theresidents should have safe pedestrianaccess to recreation and outdoor areas,local private and public services likeschools and kindergartens, meetingplaces for all generations, grocery shopetc and to public transport.

At Tinnheia in Kristiansand a special local committee has beenestablished. The residents, housing co-operatives and themunicipality have collaborated on several efforts to improve the environment, including street parking regulation and the establishment of playgrounds.

Fredrikstad has divided the municipality into 23 local communi-ties, each of which will have its own development plan by theyear of 2003. Each community has its own primary school as itscentre. The picture is from Nabbetorp.

The district of Oslo called Old Oslo is divided into 6 "localcommunities", each with an active residents’ association. A number of improvements have been made to the environment.The picture is from Kampen children’s farm.


Bjørne Jortveit

Johan - Ditlef- Martens

Johan - Ditlef- Martens


GOOD URBAN HOUSING

The cities need a better supplyof good and reasonably priceddwellings. Many people wanturban-type housing within easyreach of the city’s facilities.

The building of new dwellingsin the city centre, in sub-municipal centres and close topublic traffic nodes, will contri-bute to a better utilisation ofexisting infrastructure, environ-mentally sustainable transportand increased demand for localservices.

Main challenges in new deve-lopment projects are to ensurequality outdoor areas for every-body and to preserve the cha-racter of the neighbourhood.

1. New development should primarily takeplace inside existing building zones

2. The residents should be ensured safe andattractive pedestrian access to high qualityoutdoor areas

3. Parking facilities and garages should notbe considered a part of the specific buil-ding project, but rather be related to thepublic transport and the local communityas a whole

4. The residents should not be exposed toharmful air pollution or noise

5. Urban housing should be planned for avaried composition of residents, includingfamilies with children

6. The residents should be ensured goodservices and common facilities

7. Urban housing should be resource-economic and healthy

8. Urban housing should be practical andattractive

9. Arrangements must be made to ensureenvironment friendly management,operation and maintenance

10. Comprehensive planning of land use andlocal communities is necessary to ensuregood residential environments

About 20 acres of the water’s edge in Tromsø was originallyearmarked for industry. In co-operation with real estate develo-pers, the municipality has prepared an overall plan for the area.The intention is to build about 800 dwellings, in combination withservices and light industry.

The Housing Co-operative OBOS has built 61 apartments inByhagen, Old Oslo around an "ecological" courtyard. The housing is intended for a varied composition of residents, withboth co-operatively owned family apartments, serviced flats incollaboration with Oslo municipality, and rental apartments foryoung people.

Another Housing Co-operative USBL has built an environmentallyfriendly block of apartments at Klosterenga in Old Oslo. Thisproject focuses on energy saving, environmentally friendlymaterials and building processes. Passive and active solar energyreduces the need to purchase energy by 60%.



Main Elements of a Sustainable City-structurePublisher: Ministry of theEnvironment

Additerial copies of this publication can be ordered fromNorwegian Pollution ControlAuthority (SFT)PO 8100 Dep, N-0032 Oslo, NorwayTelephone: +47 22 57 34 00 Telefax: +47 22 67 67 06http://www.sft.no/eskjema.html

Lay-out: twm reklamebyrå. Copies: 1000 / December 2000http://www.miljo.no

T 1354 ISBN 82-457-0312-5

The Sustainable CitiesProgramme in Norway wasinitiated by the Ministry ofEnvironment in 1993 and hasbeen an experimentaldevelopment project in fiveurban municipalities. Extensivework has been carried throughduring the seven programmeyears in order to developmethods and models for moreenvironmentally friendly cities.

The main idea of theprogramme has been to viewand approach the environmentalchallenges in the cities in acomprehensive manner, whereboth long-term planning effortsand short-term measures andinstruments are utilised at thesame time. The programmewas finalised in the fall of 2000,and the results and recommen-dations were presented anddiscussed at a big nationalconference in Oslo.

This brochure presents the corecontent of the exhibition at thisconference.

The Main Report, summarising the whole programme,will be translated to English within the near future.This report gives an overview of the main conclusions,as well as specific recommendations for local, regionaland central authorities. The report will be found atthe web site www.miljo.no, or it can be ordered at thefollowing address:

Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT)Postboks 8100 Dep, 0032 Oslo, Norway.Telefon + 47 22 57 34 00 Telefaks + 47 22 67 67 06http://www.sft.no/eskjema.html

Public transport is the backboneof the urban structure at regional and local level.Public transport routes run through the city centre,connecting centre, city districts and transport nodes.The public transport system gives structure anddirection to urban development. Suburban transportnodes facilitate "park and ride".

A vital city centrewith a concentration of businesses, dwellings andcultural facilities. The main junction of the publictransport system is connected to a network ofpedestrian precincts. The historic pattern of streetsand city blocks has been preserved and renewed.

Concentrated developmentof businesses, dwellings and public services at thejunctions of the public transport network. Thejunction areas are designed as high quality urbanlocalities, reflecting a balance between renewal andconservation.

Local communitieswith concentrated and varied housing, green areas,schools, kindergartens, shops and services. Publictransport and local centres with everyday serviceswithin 500 metres walking distance from dwellings.

A continuous green structureconsisting of natural land and water, recreation areas,parks and farmland. Green corridors and connecti-ons link the local communities, with their greenareas, to the surrounding countryside.

A main network of cycle tracksmakes the bicycle an attractive mode of transport.The tracks can follow the green corridors, but mustalso provide quick and easy connections betweencity centre, local urban centres and transport nodes.

Main highwaysare routed outside local communities, the city centreand transport nodes, with secondary roads servingthe centre and the nodes. Heavily car-dependentbusiness activities with few employees and few visi-tors are located close to the main highway network.


Documents

BERGEN TROMS KRISTIANSAND Ø FREDRIKSTAD GAMLE OSLO€¦ · FREDRIKSTAD GAMLE OSLO BERGEN TROMS Ø A Co-operation Project Recommendations THE SUSTAINABLE CITIES PROGRAMME Public transport