Stavanger
The Municipality of Stavanger, located in the County of Rogaland, has 125,000 inhabitants, covers an area of 68 km2 and is the fourth largest city in Norway. The total area of the city is very limited and the population density is high. With the neighbouring city of Sandnes and the municipalities of Sola and Randaberg, it constitutes a conurbation with 221,000 inhabitants. Stavanger has been a member of NCN since 2008.
Since the first oil rig dropped anchor off the city in 1966, Stavanger has become the capital for oil operations in the North Sea, and benefits with a wealthy municipality making major public investments in culture and infra-structure. But the city and the region are vulnerable to changes in the petroleum industry. The focus now is on developing more business foundations, and its new objective is to become an energy capital.
In 2008, Stavanger was the European Capital of Culture. The city has many museums, both large and small, Stavanger Kunstmuseum (art museum), Rogaland Teater (theatre), Sølvberget, Stavanger kulturhus (cultural centre) with cinemas and a library, Tou Scene (centre for contemporary art) and several revue stages. A new concert hall will be completed in 2012.
Stavanger got its university in 2005 (UiS). Today, it is counting 8,500 students and includes the museum of Archaeology, the university hospital and a Department of Music and Dance at Bjergsted. UiS shares the expertise environment in Ullandhaug with the International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS) and Ipark (formerly Rogaland knowledge park).
3 major challenges
- Climate change and sustainable urban development;
Coordinated area and transport planning, with light rail and an increased emphasis on cycling, preperations for a densification between Stavanger and Sandnes and in central parts of the city.
- Children, young people and the elderly;
Children friendly environment, even when there is a high population density. Provision of health services and cultural activities in order to contribute to greater well-being and a well-organised, active life for all – especially the increasing proportion of elderly people.
- New knowledge – new businesses
The municipality wants to be a player within the community that contributes to knowledge development and innovation, including innovative businesses in green energies.
Projects related to the knowledge city
- Municipal plans for the centre of Stavanger, a cultural arena plan, and plans for Stavanger Forum is out for consultation.
- The Bjergsted vision, with a cultural college, upper secondary school and a new concert hall, plus the university’s Department of Music and Dance.
- Nye Tou; The Municipality of Stavanger bought the former Tou brewery in 2009 to use the site for cultural purposes. A feasibility study is conducted and a phased transformation is planned from 2011.
- In the Smart Municipality Project (Smartkommune-prosjektet) Stavanger has joined forces with the surrounding municipalities to enhance the efficiency of public services, that way make it more attractive for businesses to locate in the region. www.greaterstavanger.no
- Ipark Inkubator has 40 offices, communal areas and meeting rooms. The incubator enterprises there are divided into three categories: Research and Development, Food and Nature, Culture. www.ipark.no