Nordic responses to urban challenges of the 21st century

Abstract

Cities and urbanism have become increasingly central to social change because of their dominance in culture and politics and as a result of massive urbanization. In line with such developments, 'urban studies' has grown into a broad research field that embraces study across disciplines within social sciences and urban planning. The central idea behind this journal is that a strengthened Nordic community of urban scholars can advance the debates within this field of study. In this editorial article, we elaborate on the scholarly foundation that provides the starting point for the journal and critically reflect on how urban experiences in the Nordic countries may provide responses and solutions to challenges of the 21 st century. In doing so, we trace some of the research traditions in Nordic societies that can underpin the scholarly advances this journal seeks to make. Finally, we outline an interdisciplinary urbanist approach that we aspire to develop through this journal and point towards research topics that may be well served by further exploration from a Nordic perspective.

Governance challenges for urban logistics: Lessons from three Norwegian cities

“…Norwegian urban logistics governance can be expected to be aligned with broader governance trends noted above, with a shift towards networked, entrepreneurial and collaborative governance. Of course, the Nordic welfare state structures have cushioned some of the socio‐economic effects of state restructuring that have been witnessed elsewhere (Haarstad et al, 2021). Within the transport sector, Norwegian policy measures have until recently followed the same pattern as elsewhere in Europe; restructuring transport of people has been seen to reduce urban emissions and other unsustainable practices, and transport of goods has only in recent years been considered integrated into these efforts.…”

Interpretive Flexibility as an Approach to Designing Inclusive Urban Space: Learning from Medellín and Beirut

“…Nordic cities have developed within a context of political-administrative models aimed at fostering social inclusion and cohesion. Notably, these conditions have changed during recent decades due to deregulation, privatisation, and entrepreneurial competition in urban governance (Haarstad et al, 2021). Moreover, the heterogeneity of the urban population has expanded in part due to increased migration, with Nordic cities grappling with greater social inequality and segregation (Righard et al, 2015;Wessel et al, 2017.…”