Economic Growth, Urban Development and Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

This paper examines the potential for decoupling urban growth from negative environmental impacts, using Oslo as a case study. Since the mid-1980s, the city has pursued urban containment and densification policies, achieving partial reductions in traffic growth and land consumption. However, densification has also increased exposure to noise, air pollution, and accidents, and suitable areas for environmentally benign infill are diminishing. The study concludes that full long-term decoupling of urban development from environmental impacts is unlikely, suggesting that sustainability may ultimately require removal of environmentally harmful buildings, infrastructure, or even shrinkage of the urban building stock.