Planning to achieve/planning to avoid: the high ambitions of Norwegian planning

Abstract

This paper examines the distinct trajectory of the Norwegian planning system in comparison with those of other Nordic countries. While Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland have recently revised their planning acts, Norway has extended its ambitions further with the 2009 Planning and Building Act. The paper analyses three main aspects: the expansion of planning objectives to encompass social, economic, environmental, and cultural development far beyond physical planning; the challenges of coordinating across state, regional, and municipal levels in a context of strong local self-government; and the tension between public control and private influence, particularly through Norway’s unique right for private actors to propose plans. The findings suggest that Norway’s ambitions may exceed the practical limits of planning, raising questions about the future direction of its planning system.