Urban planning and industrial heritage – a Norwegian case study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this papter is to examine the role heritage considerations have played in the transformation of industrial areas in three Norwegian cities, Oslo, Drammen and Larvik. The location, scale and rough appearance of industrial sites stemming from the industrial era makes these places locations for new cultural and other recreational activities made possible through architectonic interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative case study based on examinations of a series of plans, site investigations and interviews with planners, developers, architects and heritage managers.

Findings

The study has revealed that private-public partnerships today prevail parts of Norwegian planning. The role and strength of the state, the municipality, the private developers and the heritage management as partners varies, however. While the state as well as the heritage management played an essential role in all stages in the development process in Oslo, the private developers and the public planners were the main instigators both in Drammen and Larvik, where the heritage managers played a subsidiary role. Although largely transformed, selected parts of the old industrial heritage sites have been taken care of as a result, and new architectural contexts have arisen.

Originality/value

While actual planning processes have been led by private investors and real estate developers, the case study has shown that participation from the public sector via funding is vital to ensure long-term solutions. The results can be of service in similar cases where large industrial plants are left empty while slowly disintegrating.

Citation

Swensen, G. and Stenbro, R. (2013), "Urban planning and industrial heritage – a Norwegian case study", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 3 No. 2, pp. 175-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-10-2012-0060