NEW TOOLS IN PLANNING

Today, Bergen has an effective set of tools and considerable authority over its own planning. The municipality is responsible for co-ordinating, initiating and implementing physical planning and is required to develop and revise a longterm, legally binding municipal plan. The agenda of the plan is , however, flexible: the municipality itself sets the agenda for its own long-term development. A new and interesting planning tool is under development: legally-binding municipal plans for parts of the municipality allow for long-term quality assurance of different areas in correspondence with the area's particular conditions and character. 
The cultural heritage protection authority has produced its own map showing the structure and connections which form the identity-creating elements. The city conservation office develops a cultural heritage base in the form of maps for all major municipal sub-plans, area development plans etc. The maps act as "take-care" signs. In this way the cultural heritage protection authority is involved as an active and constructive partner in the future development of the city. 
The municipal plans are based on building within existing city structures and

Narrow and picturesque alleys and cobbled streets flanked by wooden houses are typical of the old city quarters

developing the crossroads with the centre of Bergen as the centre of gravity. This also supports the target of achieving city districts of equal value, each with well-functioning district centres. Following up the challenges, municipal level planing involves several major-planning tasks within four main themes: communications and transport, cross-roads and area development, and city centre. 
The Bergen programme for transport, city development and the environment will co-ordinate all public transport, environment and road projects for the twenty-year period 2002-2021. The programme will be financed through national, county and municipal sources and increased payments from road users, initially for a ten-year period. Principal task in the city centre in recent years has been to improve conditions for pedestrians in the whole of the central shopping zone, form the basis for renovation and maintenance within historic areas and create better conditions for public transport. Bergen Municipality has carried out active area and building renewal in central residential areas since 1975 and 90-95% of the central building stock is now of an acceptable living standard. Central city areas have become attractive as a result of traffic reduction and development of green areas.

THE OFFICIAL PLAN

After an 18-month period of public discussion and draft plan review, the Riga Official Plan was adopted in December 1995 and become a functioning city management tool. The Official Plan is based on the principle that the most important task is to create the best possible living and working conditions for people, at the same time protecting the environment and cultural-historical heritage. During its operation detailed plans have been prepared for areas of city development. At the moment the following major project are being prepared: 
Major city core development. The Historical Centre was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. The historic core of Riga is undoubtedly the "economic engine" and for that reason one of the powerful economic forces. This area of 1.900 ha and 19 % of the city's population provides 45% of the city's employment. It receives also a large portion of investments in renovation and new construction. The aim of the project is to prepare a plan with realistic control mechanisms that will protect the valuable heritage but at the same time not stifle development 
Latvian-Canadian housing sector cooperation. The project aims at establishing more efficient market-based provision of housing in Riga. The University of Calgary with its network of housing professionals will assist in the develop-ment of a Housing Policy. Within six months it will provide training and policy advice to strengthen the institutional capacity of municipal government and to improve its ability to plan, finance and manage housing. 
Green space development plan. To achieve the goals of the Plan, great importance in city development is given to greenlands that are formed by 6 different but interconnecting nature elements. The green space plan should identify areas of the different elements and prepare specific policies for development control.