How cities and their transport systems are developed is decisive for whether important societal goals can be achieved; such as zero growth in urban road traffic, climate-friendly, attractive and liveable cities with vibrant and pleasant city centres, reduced consumption of land and nature, and that necessary changes take place in ways that are socially just. This is strongly influenced by the planning and decision-making processes that govern the development. They must be knowledge-based, efficient, inclusive and fair to be able to steer development in directions that contribute to goal achievement.
The research group Sustainable Urban Development and Mobility develops knowledge that will contribute to this. We study the effects of urban development, spatial development and the development of urban transport systems (for walking, cycling, public transport and car) to develop knowledge about which types of development contribute to achieving stated goals. We examine planning and decision-making processes at all levels, relevant institutions and organisations, and government instruments, as well as the planners' use and non-use of knowledge, in order to uncover whether and how this affects planning, plans, decisions, development and goal achievement.
The research group contributes with research, investigation, method development, planning analyses and evaluations within our fields. We use both quantitative and qualitative methods, and we often collaborate with practice and with other research institutions. Among our most important clients are the Research Council of Norway, ministries, directorates, regional authorities and municipalities.
Our main research areas
- Land use and transport development for climate-friendly, attractive and vibrant cities
- City centre planning and development
- Sustainable and efficient urban transport systems (all modes)
- Just and inclusive cities and urban transport systems, that foster public health
- Planning and decision-making processes and system for land use and transport development
Ongoing projects
- CITYCENTRE Planning, knowledge and collaboration for developing vibrant and attractive city centres, Norwegian Research Council (KLIKKBAR TIL NORSK SIDE)
- WALKMORE Making people walk more in small Norwegian cities, Norwegian Research Council (KLIKKBAR TIL ENGELSK SIDE)
- URBAN SPRAWL Who and what is it good for. A project within INCLUDE: INCLUsive Decarbonization and Energy transition – a center for socially inclusive solutions through co-creation with stakeholders, Norwegian Research Council lead UiO (KLIKKBAR TIL UIO SIN SIDE: https://www.sum.uio.no/include/)
- FREMTRANS Sustainable urban transport systems for the future for the cities in Innlandet (KLIKKBAR TIL NORSK SIDE), Regional Research Fund
- SMARTIS 2.0 Sustainable mobility packages for a green shift among younger elderlies in Nord-Jæren, Regional Research Fund
- Mobi-Health Whether and how the pandemic has had lasting influence on strategic land use and transport planning and development in Norwegian urban regions, Norwegian Research Council
- Regional land use politics and plans as tools for realizing the sustainable development goals (for KS)
- Developing a qualitative method for assessing indirect land use effects and transport consequences of larger changes to the transport systems (for Bane NOR)
Network forums
The research group runs two forums, where practitioners, researchers and others come together to discuss important issues and research needs:
Forum for Sustainable Urban Development and Mobility
