Discourses in Urban Planning A case study approach to understand what influences urban development in Harstad municipality | Discourses in Urban Planning A case study approach to understand what influences urban development in Harstad municipality

This thesis is a case study based on the urban development project Harstadpakken . It seeks to 1) identify leading discourse or discourses in the projects planning documents and how this, or these discourses influence the actual plan and the actual project. 2) The thesis takes a comparative view as it seeks to identify discourses from earlier development plans in Harstad, comparing them to each other and to the current development plan. It employs a discourse analysis approach to find shared meaning in the planning documents, and among the planners of the Harstadpakken -project. 3) The thesis seeks to find the role of environmental discourses in urban development plans, and how an environmental discourse impacts other parts of the plan and construction of planned project. There are two main discourses that are identified: A development discourse that emphasizes development of the city in itself, and in respect to its role in the region. The second discourse that was identified is an environmental discourse. The environmental discourse emphasizes green development and environmental consideration in itself, and throughout development projects. Of these two discourses, the development discourse was found to be the leading discourse, as it predominates the discussion and rationales given for development. The development discourse was partially adjusted over time, most likely due to changes in local conditions rather than global ones. The environmental discourse and the development discourse were not found to be contradictory to each other, but the environmental discourse was found to be subordinate to some degree. The findings show that a leading discourse has a decisive role in plan making processes, and that it bestows some arguments and rationale over others. It also shows the importance of having stronger environmental discourses in development plans. As there are many interests and discourses within a planning document and planning phase, it is easy for planners and entrepreneurs easily environmental discourses second- class.

This thesis is a case study based on the urban development project Harstadpakken . It seeks to 1) identify leading discourse or discourses in the projects planning documents and how this, or these discourses influence the actual plan and the actual project. 2) The thesis takes a comparative view as it seeks to identify discourses from earlier development plans in Harstad, comparing them to each other and to the current development plan. It employs a discourse analysis approach to find shared meaning in the planning documents, and among the planners of the Harstadpakken -project. 3) The thesis seeks to find the role of environmental discourses in urban development plans, and how an environmental discourse impacts other parts of the plan and construction of planned project. There are two main discourses that are identified: A development discourse that emphasizes development of the city in itself, and in respect to its role in the region. The second discourse that was identified is an environmental discourse. The environmental discourse emphasizes green development and environmental consideration in itself, and throughout development projects. Of these two discourses, the development discourse was found to be the leading discourse, as it predominates the discussion and rationales given for development. The development discourse was partially adjusted over time, most likely due to changes in local conditions rather than global ones. The environmental discourse and the development discourse were not found to be contradictory to each other, but the environmental discourse was found to be subordinate to some degree. The findings show that a leading discourse has a decisive role in plan making processes, and that it bestows some arguments and rationale over others. It also shows the importance of having stronger environmental discourses in development plans. As there are many interests and discourses within a planning document and planning phase, it is easy for planners and entrepreneurs easily environmental discourses second- class.