Background
High-rise buildings and skyscrapers have long been the ultimate expression of urbanism. In many European cities and towns, there has indeed been a reluctance to high-rise development, until the post-industrial shift with a focus on entrepreneurship, competitive economic policies and compact urban development. Multi-storey buildings are seen as a way to densify both large and small cities, to efficiently utilise infrastructure and to promote a shift to sustainable transport. Increased physical density through high-rise construction has become part of sustainability strategies.
High-rise development is also very profitable for property developers and builders. In Oslo, the municipality has developed a strategy for high-rise development in designated areas, while developers advocate for new high-rise buildings for housing, work and leisure. High-rise projects are also widespread in smaller cities and towns.
However, the sustainability of high-rise construction is increasingly being questioned. Although it can contribute positively to a shift to public transport and walking/cycling, there are other implications that need to be examined. One issue is the direct and indirect energy use caused by the construction and use of high-rise buildings, compared to other forms of compact urban development. Another problem is the social implications of high-rise construction, especially with regard to social inclusion/exclusion and equity. Often, high-rise buildings are built for the elite, and they can create micro-segregation (horizontally and vertically) and favour segregated social activities (indoors or outdoors on terraces and rooftops), which counteracts the development of socially sustainable areas.
About the project
This research project aims to understand what characterises Oslo's (and possibly surrounding municipalities') high-rise strategy (numerically and qualitatively) and what arguments are used to promote the strategy. In addition, it aims to analyse the energy implications of high-rise development, and how specific buildings and building types are designed in ways that have social implications.
In the first part of this project, master's students will collect data for the Oslo region, to map and investigate the development, as well as to conduct in-depth studies of individual cases. The project will use both quantitative and qualitative methods, including descriptive statistics, GIS, document analysis, observations and interviews. The research design for the second part of the project will be developed based on the findings in the first part.
Collaboration
In addition to researchers, the project has participants from A-lab and Akershus County Municipality.
Publications
- A student project was carried out in 2024, which resulted in a report: Schaeffer, Matthew Choi, Starrfield, Isabella Thalia & Tveter, Nora Berg. The Sustainability of High-Rise Buildings
Duration
2024 - 2026
