Environments by Design
Abstract
Background and Aim: This paper aims to look at how sustainable citizen centered urban development projects in the Norwegian municipalities of Oslo and Lier are being conducted, the challenges and opportunities that taking a sustainable approach has presented, along with how this is reflective of the uniqueness of the Norwegian approach as whole.
Methods/ Methodology: Using a combination of data from both municipalities as well as supporting literature to illustrate not just the key features of this approach from a perspective of sustainable thinking at its core, but also how is the reflective of the Norwegian project approach.
Results/ Outcomes: This paper demonstrates that by using a participatory citizen focused approach to urban development projects, the cases not only have a more pragmatic outlook towards successful implementation, but better reflect the needs of the citizens. This citizen centered approach had added value in the form of contributing to the sustainable credibility of the projects. However, challenges are presented in terms of the scope of citizen participation mechanisms along with a post study evaluation on how useful these mechanisms proved to be, and how it was eventually implemented. This paper also illustrates the degree to which this approach is not necessarily unique simply to these projects, but also to a more holistic approach of citizen centered feedback more generally.
Practical Implementation: This offers insights to the fields of Urban Facilities Management, Urban Planning, Sustainable Development and Project Management. More specifically, this offers external validity to those wanting to center the development of their projects more on the citizen focused experience, as well as the opportunities and challenges that come with trying to implement this feedback.
Keywords: Smart Cities, Urban Development, Urban Facilities Management, Project Management, Citizen Participation
Originally from Wales in the United Kingdom, Dave is has a PhD in Sustainable Facilities Management (2019) from the Centre for Real Estate and Facilities Management in the Department of Architecture and Planning. In 2019 Dave was awarded the European Facilities Management Network (EuroFM) ‘European Researcher of the Year’ for his contributions to the advancement of «knowledge in FM and promote its effective application in practice and education». Dave also has a Bachelor in Politics and Modern History from Cardiff University completed in 2007, as well as a Master in Globalisation, Global Politics and Culture from NTNU completed in 2014. He also worked for SINTEF Technology and Society during the last year of his Masters Degree. 0Prior to his move to Norway, Dave worked for nearly 5 years for a British Member of Parliament. He is researching how users and communities can better engage themselves in Smart Cities projects as more formal intermediaries and is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow on the Nordforsk project ‘Citizens as the Pilots of Smart Cities’ (CaPs).
10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Wednesday 16th June, 2021