Byøkologisk eller bærekraftig byplanlegging - er dette en ny form for planlegging?

Abstract

The article focuses on the concept of "sustainable" or "ecological" urban design or city planning
which is commonly used to describe current study programs at architect schools in European countries.
The author seeks to discover if this is a different type of planning compared to that which is
usually taught as urban design, "städtebau," "bybygning" or "byplanlegging," remarking that there
have been steady and progressive developments towards more sustainable features in "normal"
planning. The question "is there a real difference between "sustainable" and "normal" city planning?"
is posed and is subsequently rejected by the author. He underlines that "sustainable" or
"ecological" planning as an environmental precautionary concept is too narrow and does not take
into account that human society is facing a humanitarian as well as an ecological crisis. He also
remarks that it may be regarded as presumptuous for such planning to lead the way towards what
may be perceived as a necessary restructuring of the society. Physical planning has declined and is
obviously not a reliable force for initiating changes; however, change is inevitable and will occur primarily
at the instigation of governmental rules and regulations. It is difficult to estimate the content
and extent of such changes today. Therefore, "sustainable" or "ecological" planning has the same
well-defined repertoire for sustainability as "normal" planning.