Urban Development in Ireland and Norway – Oslo City Council visits the RIAI

On 6 May, the RIAI welcomed members of Oslo City Council’s Standing Committee on Urban Development, Byutviklingsutvalget, for a morning of knowledge exchange, presentations, and networking, with an introduction by RIAI President Fionnuala May.

Topics discussed at the RIAI included urban design, public and housing projects, and long-term city planning. For the presentations to the Oslo City Council, Fionnuala May FRIAI was joined by Aideen Farrell MRIAI, Senior Architect at the Office of the State Architect / OPW; Andrew Devonport MRIAI, Dublin City Architect; and Andrée Dargan FRIAI, DLR County Architect. The delegation also received a thought-provoking presentation from the Irish Cities 2070 group, represented by David Browne FRIAI, Jim Coady FRIAI and Tony Reddy FRIAI. Attending the event were RIAI CEO Kathryn Meghen, members and chairs of RIAI Committees, and directors of RIAI divisions.

The delegation from Oslo City Council also visited a housing project by Shay Cleary Architects and an adaptive reuse project by Lawrence and Long Architects.

The Byutviklingsutvalget committee is responsible for urban development, land use, housing, transport, and long-term city strategy, and the delegation included elected councillors, technical advisors and heads of agencies from Oslo City Council. The Committee organises regular study visits to engage with peer cities and reflect on shared urban challenges.