Comprehensive land use planning in Norway (completed)

Research fellow Nikolai K Winge

This project concerns the governmental administration of uncultivated land in rural areas in Norway.

In recent times, we have witnessed an increase in the use of rural areas for industry related expansion. The intervention in nature and landscape has led to scarcity of untouched nature in Norway. A major problem related to this is that the expansion appears in a fragmented way without anchoring in an overall plan.

However, several statutes partially regulates this problem. Some aim at ensuring effective land use, others govern the management of land and other natural resources. The rules are enforced by different public authorities and contain various instruments to secure the diverse interests. Hence, the legal picture is fragmented and “sector focused”. As a consequence, a demand exists for legal instruments that will coordinate different sectors and interests in administration of rural areas.

In this project, I will examine critically whether such mechanisms for coordination exists in Norwegian law, and whether the existing legal framework thus is ultimately capable of securing an comprehensive and balanced land use management (or not!). The legal regulation of wind power stations and power lines will be used as a case study.

 

Published June 25, 2012 3:40 PM - Last modified Oct. 20, 2014 4:40 PM