A Scientific Approach to the Densification Debate in Bergen Centre in Norway

Remco Elric de Koning, Hans Jacob Roald and Akkelies van Nes
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Remco Elric de Koning: Department of Civil Engineering, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway
Hans Jacob Roald: Department of Civil Engineering, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway
Akkelies van Nes: Department of Civil Engineering, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-21

Abstract: The municipality of Bergen in Norway aims to densify fifty per cent of new housing within the city’s central parts. The Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation ordered and financed an investigation to be carried out by the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and the consulting firm Asplan Viak to give research-based input to the densification strategy debate in Bergen. This article demonstrates how the Space Syntax method can be applied to urban densification strategies in urban planning and policy making. The Geographical Information System (GIS) is used to obtain, select, and aggregate operational information. First, the spatial attributes that constitute an area’s attractiveness were registered. Then, this analysis was modelled after the Spacescape ® method. Next, the Space Syntax methodology was applied to predict to-movement and through-movement flow potentials. Finally, through weighting the relevant parameters, including impediments such as land ownership, twelve areas were identified as having major potential for transformation based on their overall score. As it turns out, the spatial structure of the street and road network is the underlying driver for how and where to densify. Now, the challenge is how to apply this knowledge into current planning practice.

Keywords: densification; urban transformation; Space Syntax; planning strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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