[ad_1]
Unfortunately, that is a fact. There is a crisis in the center of Oslo!
By Bjørn Næss, CEO of Oslo Handelsstands Forening (OHF)
This is a discussion post. Express the views of the writer.
Empty streets, little commerce and a regulation bar stop that makes it more profitable for many restaurants to stay closed.
People work from home and the authorities advise against unnecessary public transport. Cultural institutions are closed. There’s just not much that draws us downtown right now.
The magic and it’s gone, but thankfully it’s temporary. When the crown is gone and the social lockdown is lifted, we will meet again and be very social.
But how are we going to get people to return to the city and not just want it?
Car in the center
Many are crying out for more parking spaces, easier driving patterns and lower tolls.
This is important for some people, especially the elderly, families with young children, and people with physical disabilities. The city must be accessible to everyone, and then we must facilitate various modes of transport.
Fortunately, we know that more than 90 percent use public transportation when visiting the city center.
The city must also be accessible to those who deliver goods and perform services in the city center, and it is no secret that conditions are not being maintained when the transport workers’ organization itself, LUKS, the municipality of Oslo, is suing for difficult and precarious working conditions in the city center.
It is also a crossroads where many complain that they cannot drive into town, while parking companies complain of a lack of customers. Today, the city’s almost 9,000 parking spaces are practically empty.
This is to be blamed on tolls, high parking fees, and difficult driving patterns.
Not trial and error
We request more in-depth analysis before any new measures are put in place for car use, traffic patterns and mobility. The law requires extensive research and impact assessments before bike lanes can be adopted in place of public transportation, the introduction of one-way streets, pedestrian streets, or parks in place of parking spaces.
What consequences does this have for the environment, residents and businesses in the area?
The situation we live in now is largely the result of trial and error in the form of pilot projects that are slowly but surely turning into permanent solutions. This can have a strong political impact, but it does not necessarily provide good, sustainable urban development.
Where, for example, was Bilfritt Byliv’s assessment?
The days when downtown Oslo was a test pilot for ignorant corporate politics should be over. We are now calling for a cross-party solution on how we will once again bring the capital to life. Something has to be done, now!
Policy takes time and decisions made now will have consequences for urban development for many years to come.
The center as a meeting place
Local commerce is flourishing, but what can we do to prevent the death of shops in central Oslo and limit the leakage of commerce to shopping malls and districts?
Malls can be tempting with free parking and dry shopping at many stores under one roof. But Oslo city center has a lot more to offer than this.
Oslo city center has a fantastic promenade, parks, sculptures, beautiful buildings, concert arenas, theater, cinema, museums, Deichman, Spikersuppa, Karl Johan, outdoor seating, pedestrian streets, tram, subway, musicians streets, specialty shops and much more.
Oslo’s city center is simply the center of the districts and a hub of culture and experiences.
Urban development takes time
The crown is transitory. To reactivate the center, there are many measures that will contribute.
Affordable rental for newly established businesses, inexpensive parking, perfect mobility between car, tram, track, bus, city bikes, electric scooters and enough stops.
The center must offer experiences through events, activities and culture: concerts, festivals, sporting events, playgrounds and markets.
One thing is for sure: humans are social beings and we want to be where things happen. Let’s make sure that Oslo city center regains its appeal and becomes our main meeting place again.
For our city, it is important that politicians not only think about their own position and the upcoming elections, but make informed decisions for the best for business and urban development, and that Oslo city center becomes our most important meeting place in the years to come.
Advertising
Five measures that will give you a better economy in 2021
