November 2008

Letter from the Editor

A recent visit to Sweden and Norway convinced me that a clean, efficient, well-run public transit system is not only a quality of life issue but a social equity issue. Both Stockholm and Oslo have wonderful transit options. They also support a healthy environment for pedestrians and bicyclists. Clearly, strong planning and a commitment to implementation of the plans are big factors.

The city of Bergen on the west coast of Norway adopted a new master plan in June 2007. The backbone of the plan is a new light rail system with construction starting in January 2008. Planners recommend that 1,500 new housing units be built each year, with 60 percent of the new units planned near light rail stops and local centers. When I asked the city planner if that goal is realistic, he looked quizzical and said, "We follow our plans, don't you?" Interestingly, the city planning department was just renamed the Climate, Environmental Affairs and Urban Development Department.

The International Academic Association on Planning, Law and Property Rights will be holding its Third Conference in Denmark on February 11–13, 2009. The conference's website is at http://planninglaw2009.land.aau.dk.

Lora A. Lucero, AICP