Debate post This is a debate entry, written by an external contributor. The post expresses the writer’s views.
The regional planning strategy for Akershus is now on consultation. What does that mean, you might be thinking? Regional planning strategy is actually one of the county council’s most important documents, which we want many people to get involved in. We like to call it the plan above all plans.
It is a strategy that will define joint development goals for our county, and describe which regional plans we need to achieve these goals. The purpose is to set a common course for development in the region, and to get all good forces working towards the same goal, across sectors and levels of administration.
The county council in Akershus will develop a sustainable and innovative region. Everyone who lives in Akershus should have the opportunity to succeed and to live a good life.
Based on the UN’s sustainability goals, we will work to ensure that Akershus is a place where it is good for everyone to live, that we take care of nature, and go to the front to save the Oslofjord. We must have Norway’s best education, good accessibility and transport options, and good development opportunities for culture and business. The regional planning strategy must show how we can achieve this.
If we are to succeed in this, we must plan well and long-term, in close cooperation with the municipalities and other social actors. This is also why all counties must prepare a regional planning strategy in each election period.
Our work is based on the planning basis that was created in Viken. We have emphasized gathering knowledge that is new since the previous planning strategy, strengthening cooperation with Oslo, and assessing key development features for new Akershus and the entire capital region. The municipalities have given us valuable input in this work.
The proposal for a regional planning strategy for Akershus is on consultation until 25 June. It is open to everyone to provide input. Maybe you just have important input that needs to be taken care of, and for which good plans need to be made in the future.
The process will result in long-term goals and eventually new regional plans with a large thematic breadth, which will replace the current current plans.
We are now hoping for many consultation responses from the entire Akershus community and the neighboring counties. This is how the plans for the region’s development will be as good as possible, and will meet the challenges that we must and must solve together. Akershus is to be Norway’s best county to live in.
