How cities and urban transport systems are developed, is crucial for important societal goals to be reached. These include the objectives of zero-growth in road traffic in urban areas, more climate-friendly, attractive and liveable cities, with vibrant and strong city centres, and a more universally designed society.
The research group Sustainable Urban Development and Mobility develop research that could help planners and decision-makers ensuring that these and other objectives can be reached. We investigate effects of urban developments and development of urban transport systems (road, public transport, bicycling, walking), and which kinds of developments that contribute to goal achievement.
Moreover, we do research on planning- and decision-making processes, relevant institutions and organizations, governmental policy instruments, as well as planners' use and non-use of knowledge in planning, as to whether and how this affect planning, decision-making, development and goal-achievement.
Within our field, we bring research, analyses, method development, planning analyzes and evaluations. Among main clients are the Norwegian Research Council (NRC), ministries, directorates, counties, municipalities and the National Public Roads Administration. We use various quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches in our research, and we often collaborate with practice and with other research institutions.
Urban development and mobility is a strategic priority for TOI, and the strategic institute initiative Urban development and urban transport for climate-friendly and attractive cities is located in our group.
Our main research areas are:
- Land use and transport development for climate-friendly, attractive and vibrant cities
- City centre development
- Environmentally friendly and efficient urban transport systems
- Planning and decision-making for land use and transport development
- National measures
- Universal Design
