Norway

Norway’s EV Boom Could Entrench Car Dependency
The Scandinavian country is a pioneer when it comes to EV adoption, but there are downsides.

Rationing Energy
American motorists may complain about the 'pain at the pump,' but there is no shortage of gasoline, unlike the availability of natural gas in Europe.

The Pandemic Is Not Ending—But Restrictions Are
The science hasn't changed but the politics have, and policymakers are responding appropriately. Transmission of the coronavirus during the Omicron wave remains at an all-time high, although infections are decreasing globally.

Norwegian City Plans for Zero-Emissions Neighborhood
As it winds down port operations in the area, Bergen plans to transform its Dokken district from a busy shipping hub to a car-free, 'regenerative' zone.

The Great Scandinavian Pandemic Experiment
Perhaps no nation has captured more media attention in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic than Sweden. Unlike most of Europe, it never went into lockdown, relying mostly on voluntary social distancing. The state epidemiologist devised the plan.

Washington State to Transition to Battery Electric Ferries
Washington's largest diesel emissions polluter will transition its fleet to diesel-hybrids and then to battery-electric propulsion to comply with Gov. Inslee's emissions-reduction executive order which will also please the orcas in Puget Sound.

Gov. Newsom's Phase-out of Oil Production Prompts Backlash in Kern County
Almost 80% of oil extraction in the nation's sixth largest oil-producing state occurs in Kern County. Supervisors see the California governor's climate plan to reduce oil production as a threat to the county's economic well-being.

Just What the Planet Needs: More Oil Production
A surge of oil from four countries—Norway, Guyana, Canada and Brazil—will more than compensate for slowing growth of U.S. oil production. The new sources might cause oil prices to dip to $50 a barrel and slow the transition to electric vehicles.

Copenhagen Update: On-Street Auto Parking Replaced by Bike Parking
Copenhagen may have already met its bicycling goal of 50 percent of modal share for commuting, but it needs to improve the share for all trips. With less funding available, the city is pursuing low cost strategies, such as auto parking removal.

Electric Vehicle Incentives: A Tale of Two Countries
While Trump wants to end the EV credit program, in part to punish GM for closing unprofitable car manufacturing plants, Norway is scaling back the generous perks that have enabled EV sales to comprise almost half on new auto sales.

In Oslo, Streets for People, Not Cars
New measures will greatly reduce vehicle traffic in the city center as Oslo moves to put pedestrians, cyclists, and air quality before cars.

Friday Funny: The Ministry of Silly Walks Gets Silly in Texas
"Last year the government spent less on the ministry of silly walks than it did on national defense."

A Car Ban By Other Means
After failing to implement a car ban, Oslo officials are converting downtown street parking into public space.

Another Nail in the Coffin of the Internal Combustion Engine?
Is the movement away from gasoline and diesel-powered cars unstoppable? In response to air pollution litigation, the British government announced on July 26 that sales of gasoline and diesel vehicles would be banned by 2040.

Oslo's Car-Free Dreams Easier Said Than Done
Touted as a leader among the European cities moving toward car-free streets, Oslo's ambitions of removing all cars from the city center has hit some roadblocks.
Oslo Creates Ambitious 'Climate Budget'
Oslo sets ambitious goal for carbon emissions with a "Climate Budget." The budget is a sign of climate policies to come as the Paris climate agreement begins to take effect around the world.

The App That Puts Street Design Powers Into the Hands of Children
For the first time ever, Norway is crowdsourcing public safety information from kids—made possible through the powers of smart phones and gamification.

Gas and Diesel Cars Could Be Banned in Norway by 2025
Norway's four major political parties appear to agree to a ban on gasoline and diesel-powered passenger vehicles by 2025. And they are not alone. Efforts are also underway in The Netherlands and India, according to the news site Electrek.

Norway Has a Plan for $1 Billion in Bicycle Highways
It's not a done deal yet, but Norway's $1 billion plan for inter-city bicycle highways should be enough to inspire envy among cyclists here in the United States.
The Story of Diesel and Electric Cars in Europe
Two separate New York Times articles examine cars powered by electricity in Norway and diesel fuel in Britain and Western Europe in the wake of Volkswagen's emissions scandal. A critic of the Norway's e-car subsidies subtly ties the two together.
Pagination
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research