This has led to new ways of operating – both in terms of collaboration, but also in terms of the importance of art and architecture in tomorrow’s smarter and more sustainable cities and communities.

In 2022, Nordic Edge and its partners in NEB-STAR (New European Bauhaus – Stavanger) were selected as one of only six lighthouse demonstrators in Europe!

The ambition is to change the way municipalities, business, citizens, and other actors work together, to find fair and robust solutions to our climate and social challenges. Together, we work with social innovation to become climate neutral faster – in an inclusive, aesthetic, and sustainable way.

Part of the NEB-Star project is to learn from each other and create new forms of collaboration that produce faster and more effective results: how can residents and social actors better design, influence and carry out the municipality’s plans and missions – so that we reach our climate goals.

“Already six months into the project we see how the way we have traditionally operated is being challenged by new working structures and closer collaboration within the project,” says Trygve A. Meyer, who heads up the project in Nordic Edge. “A more democratic and inclusive approach must be balanced against progress and deliverables, something that can at times be challenging. But we are all learning and finding new and fruitful ways to work together to reach our goals.

Inclusion is key!

The inhabitants in the areas surrounding the Site 4016 testbed will receive fliers about the test in order for them to be able to take part in the agile piloting over the coming months. This goes hand in hand with the New European Bauhaus value of inclusiveness and activation of the local citizens.

Site 4016, which is a rejuvenation of an old industrial area, opens its doors at the beginning of next year and will be the Stavanger-region’s largest “office neighbourhood”, tailored for the building and construction industry. Under 13 roofs, spread over a total area of 100,000m², small and large architecture, engineering and construction companies will work closely together with a common goal of becoming industry leading in terms of sustainability and technology. The area is also focused on close ties with the surrounding neighbourhoods consisting of rowhouses, flats and houses.

At the beginning of next year, the agile piloting method will be applied to the other of the two testbeds in the NEB-Star project. There will be a new competition for testing at Pedersgata in Stavanger. This street, with its neighbourhoods, has a long history, both culturally and politically. In later years it has gone through an upgrade and is yet again becoming an important part of the city.

So, all in all there is much to look forward to in the coming year.