Mapping, development and use of methods to measure urban qualities and sustainability and creating a joint nordic strategy for sustainable
development
Attractive Nordic Towns
- Strategies
towards a more sustainable
future
Iceland 16.10.2019
Why bother making a strategy?
World's Top 4 Happiest Countries Are All Nordic — Here's Why
Nordic countries are at the top of their game.
5 minutes
“The Nordic countries still come up short when it comes to reaching some of the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Achieving those goals depends on finding sustainable solutions to predominant trends, such as urbanisation, climate adaption and demographic change. Sustainable urban
development should meet the needs and desires of today’s residents without compromising the
opportunities for future generations. The future challenges are common to all countries, but solutions need to be adapted to the local context”
Sweco, 2019
Globalization Digitalisation Urbanisation Climate Change
Nordregio, 2018; State of the Nordic Region
MORE OLDER
MORE URBAN
MORE MULTICULTURAL
Nordregio, 2018; State of the Nordic Region Foto: Yadid Levy/Norden.org
Which future do we need to plan for?
Background
The project is led by the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Modernization in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
Sweco started to work on this project in February 2018 and has followed the project until its end this fall 2019.
Our task in this project is:
1. Mapping, development and use of methods to measure urban qualities and sustainabilites.
2. A common Nordic strategy for attractive and inclusive urban environments.
Target group: YOU
What is this strategy all about?
• This report is meant to inspire local and regional urban planners towards more comprehensive and sustainable urban development in the Nordic countries
• It addresses how small and medium-sized towns in the Nordic region can maintain and develop their attractiveness through urban environments and inclusiveness
• How to satisfy the global goals described in the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations
Three main principles
The joint Nordic strategy is based on three main principles:
• Strategies need to address specific challenges of small and medium-sized Nordic towns
• Strategies need to be scalable and applicable to different local contexts and provide a basis for local adaption followed by action plans and implementation
• Governance is the primary driver for change
THE WAY FORWARD
FIVE DIMENSIONS TO CONSIDER TOWARDS
ATTRACTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE NORDIC TOWNS
Five dimensions
1. Spatial dimension strategies
2. Governance dimension strategies 3. Social dimension strategies
4. Economic dimension strategies
5. Environmental dimension strategies
Spatial dimension strategies
• Apply a holistic and multi-scale approach
• Strive for spatial equality
• Encourage territorial resilience
• Develop a sustainable mobility system
• Promote high quality and multi-functional public spaces
• Preserve and enhance architectural and cultural heritage
Governance dimension strategies
• Foster sustainable administration and management
• Increase the capacity to assess progress
• Increase citizen participation
• Strengthen partnership and networks
Social dimension strategies
• Strategic localization of housing, public spaces and building
• Plan ahead to provide supply of housing for everyone
• Promote health and well-being
• Improved system for lifelong learning
• Promote culture and leisure opportunities
Economical dimension strategies
• Stimulate green growth and the circular economy
• Promote innovation and smart cities’ solutions
• Ensure connectivity
• Develop employment and a resilient local economy
• Encourage sustainable production and consumption
• Foster cooperation and innovative partnerships
• Strive for an excellent business climate
• Increase competitiveness through smart specialization
• Opportunities for all
Environmental dimension strategies
• Mitigate climate change
• Protect, restore and enhance biodiversity and ecosystems
• Reduce pollution
• Adapt to climate change
• Manage natural resources sustainably and prevent waste
• Protect, preserve and manage water resources
