| Test municipalities for universal design |
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Publisert: 09 October 2006 i The Plan of Action - The Plan of Action |
 Photo: Tommi Rantala/The Municipality of BåtsfjordMunicipalities play an active role in the development of society. It is their job to ensure that inhabitants benefit from equal opportunities as well to establish good living conditions for the individual. The Planning and Building Act is a useful tool for municipalities seeking to define strategies and measures for universal design within their local community. Experience gained at the local level provides essential input to efforts to develop universal design as a national strategy for increased accessibility. The Planning and Building Act is a useful tool for municipalities seeking to define strategies and measures for universal design within their local community. Experience gained at the local level provides essential input to efforts to develop universal design as a national strategy for increased accessibility. A total of 16 of Norway’s 431 municipalities have been selected as test municipalities. These represent 12 different counties and offer wide variation in terms of size and location,. The municipalities selected are: Båtsfjord and Berlevåg, Tromsø, Sortland, Verdal, Trondheim, Stord, Time and Klepp, Risør, Porsgrunn, Vestre Toten and Gjøvik, Kongsvinger, Eidskog and Ullensaker. Each of the test municipalities has achieved political consensus regarding the incorporation of universal design principles into local planning activities. Under the pilot project, universal design efforts will be organised in the context of a shared vision and certain unified goals, and some of the municipalities have been paired together with joint project organisation. The initiative has its origin in the Government Action Plan for increased accessibility for persons with disabilities, and is being administered as a separate pilot project. The test municipalities have been asked to think creatively with regard to organisational and practical measures, to define specific goals and to make the best possible use of relevant expertise and the diverse resources available within their own organisations and local communities. These municipalities will in turn convey their experience to other municipalities, and serve as a source of inspiration. The initiative is designed to strengthen the dialogue between the national and local administrations, and will help to promote the development of instruments targeted toward the municipalities in this sphere. Regional administrators will assist the municipalities by providing guidance and assistance in competence building, networking and exchange of experience. The municipality of Kristiansand has employed universal design thinking systematically over time, and has even been awarded a Nordic prize for its efforts in this area. Kristiansand will serve as an important resource for the participants in the project. |