Mapping, development and use ofmethods to measure urban qualitiesand sustainability and creating a joint nordic strategy for sustainabledevelopment

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 WhyNordic 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

CONSIDERATIONS

To be successful some common approaches need to be considered in all towns…

• First, to reach the SDGs, a holistic approach is vital

• Second, empowering the local society is necessay

• Third, creating sustainable and attractive towns means change

• Fourth, resilience is at the core of sustainability.

• Fifth, using and linking local strategies and actions to the Sustainable

Development Goals creates a solid base from which to build.