Tromsø
The island of Tromsø is the largest city in the Nordic countries situated north of the Arctic Circle, and home to the world´s northern-most university. The city thrives on education, research and development, administration, fishing exports and satellite technology. The centre of the north has about 50.000 inhabitants living in the city centre, in addition to housing over 9.000 students.
Tromsø is a city experiencing rapid growth in population, and some of the future challenges in the urban planning is to continue the development of a compact city, with transformation of the traditional, industrial seafront, and combining the necessity of developing new infrastructure with preservation of Tromsø´s uniqueness as a city in close relationship to extreme nature surroundings. The University´s
location, four kilometres outside the city centre, represents a spatial barrier for both the University and the city centre. Furthermore, Tromsø`s local cultural heritage lays as an indisputable condition when planning for redevelopment and urbanisation of the city centre, since the city was the only one in northern Norway not exposed to the bombing of world war two. Tromsø continuously aims to be an attractive city for its inhabitants, for students and creative businesses
Projects related to the knowledge city
- The knowledge city of Tromsø – pilot project
The project’s main purpose is improving the dialogue between the municipality and the University regarding issues related to spatial and physical planning, arguing that both the city and the University will gain from establishing stronger relationships to the city and the city centre. The city centre is known as the main arena for city life, culture and communication, where University students and employees contribute strongly to create a thriving city centre. The University area, however, is a quiet and empty place after work hours. By introducing commerce, student residences and shops, the university area might become a more integral part of city life. But is the population big enough to make both the city centre and campus living and attractive parts of the city?
- Stakkevollvegen – transforming the industrial seafront
The traditional industrial seafront area between the city centre and the University, along Stakkevollvegen, is in a process of transformation and modernization. The new development plan for this area, Kommunedelplan for Stakkevollvegen-Tromsø-marka, makes room for housing, extensive commercial space, public parks and footpaths, and will hopefully attract knowledge based businesses and institutions – among them parts of the University.
- City centre South – Renewing the south part of the city centre
The southern part of the city centre constitute a conglomeration of research centres, an old brewery, and museums. As several private initiatives has been introduced for developing this area, the municipality now see the opportunity for contribution towards a more publicly attractive and exciting area with mixed land use and a large new public park.
- Tromsø as a Future City, Fremtidens byer
Together with Norway’s major cities and the Ministry of the Environment, the city is a part of a pilot project envisioning different scenarios for the future cities.