NEIGHBOURHOOD
7
From the top of Ekeberg, the protagonist of The Worst Person In The World observes Oslo from a position of despair. It is possible that, as Oslo proceeds through its rapid development, it may overlook the historical value and unique characteristics that lie even closer than one might think. Gamlebyen (The Old Town) is an example of an area that has until recent years not been attractive on the housing market, whereas its neighbours Grünerløkka and St. Hanshaugen, as well as Kampen and Ensjø, are bustling areas of both new and old developments.
As housing prices increase, people move around to various neighbourhoods in Oslo, like train with various stops and the endstation is own a home. Self-owning has been an official policy in Norway since the 1950s, with almost 80% owning their homes. (Boligdama 2023) However, Lam points out that the industry continues to promote neighbourhoods with these values, which leads to constricting neighbourhoods and limiting one's ability to follow people for more than five years.
Oslo's housing market is characterised by inequity, as the small house plan and high-rise plan are pushing the limits of affordability. Flemming points to the decades of dominating modernism, in which the difference in aesthetics has led to older buildings having higher social status. This highlights the ongoing struggle for affordable quality housing in Oslo as the movement suggests incorporating classical elements to equalise the gap, but architects, planners, and developers seem reluctant to do so. Stokke emphasises there is more to architecture that goes beyond facades and suggests that these solutions are better handled by qualified people.
The proposed high-rise strategies are presented to the city council at the same time as the restrictions on what can be built in low-rise residential areas.
The housing shortage in Great Britain, particularly around London, has been criticised for mass-produced housing, which is supposed to have a vernacular feel but is built using cheaper materials. Mass-produced housing offers the market many advantages, including the freedom for individuals to express themselves through the interior, however, it does not seem to satisfy as developers such as OBOS have been criticised as monotonous and lacking aesthetic durability. (Guldbrandsen 2021) Hardy points to an increasing interest in decorations and other aesthetic ideas among the younger generation.
Flemming praised Poundbury's walkability and density, as well as its early design process that included local residents. Stokke agrees with the importance of genuine public consultation to understand people's concerns, as well-designed neighbourhoods do reflect residents' desires, however, having a public vote on every potential building is excessive.
OSLO
The Oslo Architecture Triennale in 2022 aimed to highlight the potential of neighbourhoods, both old and new, and their future potential. The theme 'Neighbourhood' resonated with people, as it reflects the public discourse on buildings and their environments. Danish architect author of Life Between Buildings, Jan Gehl, said in a portrait by the Norwegian Architectural Journal, "I don't think it's a coincidence that Christian Pagh and the triennial have started talking about the neighbourhood and the street again in recent years. The pendulum has swung back." (Holljen Thon 2022)
In his book, he highlights two tendencies in architecture: hotel development and the other where developments have been created with spaces in-between the houses for people to sit or walk. (Gehl [1971] 2011) The latter one might call a neighbourhood. As the Oslo Architecture Triennale will hold its 9th edition in 2025, they intend to explore "urgent matters through the Nordic Neighbourhood Lab, expanding the Mission Neighbourhood". (Oslo Triennale 2023) This means rethinking Oslo's neighbourhoods and Norway as a whole, promoting dialogue between the public and professionals about collaborative and sustainable urban developments.
What are the practical, architectural, and social features of good neighbourhoods?
How can we share more at a neighbourhood scale?
How can new urban areas become more diverse and socially and environmentally sustainable?
