Norwegian Researchers Launch Climate-Friendly Urban Development Tool

A new tool developed by researchers in Norway aims to help urban planners assess the climate-friendliness of urban development projects. The tool utilizes indicators related to housing location, commuting distances, and access to public transport and green spaces, as highlighted by researcher Lillian Sve Rokseth. Three pilot areas were studied, revealing that well-planned developments can significantly reduce car dependency and promote walking and cycling. Fornebu in Bærum municipality demonstrated successful planning with a balance of residential and office spaces, while Trondheim's Sluppen area is still evaluating proposals. The findings contribute to ongoing efforts to create sustainable and compact cities that can better respond to climate challenges. This research is part of the Zero Emission Neighborhoods in Smart Cities project, emphasizing the need for innovations in urban planning for a greener future.