APL240 Environment and Planning, Part 1

The course provides an introduction to the Norwegian planning system in accordance with the Planning and Building Act 2008. The students are introduced to the planning system, the relevant legal frameworks, planning processes, and planning tools such as Environmental Impact Assessments. The course covers municipal, regional (county-level) and national planning functions, and key themes are processes, participation and knowledge. In particular, the course emphasises how spatial planning is used to achieve environmental policy goals at local and regional levels, what roles different types of actors play and how participation and power relations shape planning practices. Key ideas in environmental planning, such as ‘integrated’ and ‘holistic’ planning will be discussed, and attention will also be paid to what kinds of and how knowledge is produced and drawn on in planning. Real-life examples will be used to illustrated key issues and conflicts in planning related to biodiversity, landscapes, recreation, coastal zones and mountainous areas, as well as water governance, planning for improved public health and how planning can help tackle the challenges of climate change. The course is taught by a variety of people with different backgrounds, including researchers and practitioners.