Mr Oystein Holvik, Head of the Environmental Department of Kristiansand, at the city beach located close to the city centre.
Photo: A. E. Nape
1 LAND USE AND TRANSPORT
"Greater concentration of buildings in the building zone and less use of private cars"
As the city has expanded, the need for transport has risen remarkably and today almost 70 % of all journeys are made by car. The project aims at reducing peopleīs need for transport by increasing living density, providing services needed daily within a walking distance from homes, improving public transport and encouraging bicycling and walking.
2 DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY CENTRE
"A living city centre"
The historical centre of the city is marked by its function as traffic junction and service centre for the whole region. The goal is to increase the number of residents in the city centre by 25% and further develop pedestrian zones. Large parts of existing roads are to be converted into environmental streets where the traffic has to comply with pedestrians - not vice versa as on traditional roads.
3 LOCAL COMMUNITIES
"Local communities with services and meeting points"
Kristiansand is divided into 18 local communities. The goal is for all these communities to have a local supply of services, e.g., kirdergarten, primary school, cultural activities, post office, grocery story, etc., within a walking distance from home.
4 NATURE, THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION AREAS
"Continuous green structure, clean river and fjord"
Both the city and local industry have invested considerable sums to ensure effective waste water treatment. As a result, the water quality has improved, and even salmon have returned to River Otra, which flows through Kristiansand. Green areas extend into the residential areas like green corridors, keeping the distance from peopleīs homes to continuous green areas short. Walking and bicycle paths also make the green structure an important part of the transport system.
5 WASTE AND SOURCE SEPARATION
"Reduced quantities of waste and more recycling"
Kristiansand can be proud of the highest level of household waste recycling in Norway, about 60%. Paper and cardboard as well as bio-waste are collected separately. Hazardous waste is collected by providing all households with a special box, which will be collected twice a year.
6 CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DESIGN OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES
"Conservation, renewal and aesthetic values"
Kristiansand is said to be the most typical Renaissance town in Northern Europe. However, substantial changes have taken place in time due to fires, extensive building activites, construction of railways and roads. Now the challenge is to preserve the valuable cultural environments, repair unfortunate mistakes and avoid them in the future.
7 ATTITUDES
"Information, education and participation"
Support to inhabitants is necessary in order to turn Kristiansandīs development in the direction of sustainability, this calling also for changes in attitude and behaviour. The project has set environmental education in kindergartens and schools into motion, and an environmental forum has been established to co-ordinate the environmental work of NGOīs.
For further information on the project and its outcome, please contact Mr Oystein Holvik, fax: +47 38 075100.
