Arabic

Dr. Hoshiar Nooraddin

Ajman University of Science and Technology

Waterfront Livable Streets: Case of Oslo

This paper aims to describe the basic strategies that had been applied by Norwegian authorities in order to create livable streets in the new waterfront areas of Oslo. Creating real livable waterfront streets is getting attention of large number of sectors involved in developing new urban alternatives that can realize this important goal. Car dominated town plans and urban design had very strong negative influence in all sectors of the society. Environment quality and social life are two important areas that directly suffered from the radical influences of the car based urban knowledge and town planning. It is not before the 1970’s and 1980’s that these concerns had started getting its real attention in the local authority’s urban plans and policies in order to create better living condition for the society and the environment.

Waterfront areas that were basically occupied by shipyards, industrial structures, and commercial buildings became part of the most important urban development projects. The most important part of the new waterfront projects is the traffic plans that aims to reduce the number of the traffic in these areas at the same time develop new urban design principles that support active, safe, enjoyable and clean streets and public spaces.

To support creating livable streets along waterfront areas the new plans have included important principles among them urban culture, mobility, technology, economy, urban identity, cultural activities and interaction between market and policy.