The Nordic countries are often seen as torch bearers in the international engagement on climate adaptation and mitigation. How and to what extent is this reflected in these four national documents on architecture?
It is the Norwegians who seem to have advanced furthest. Their document clearly spells out that one of the main challenges today is sustainability and climate, and therefore; "Architecture should choose eco- and energy friendly solutions".
What does this imply? In fact, the Norwegians say that "Energy consumption should go down." Thus far, however, energy consumption in this context has usually been measured per square metre rather than per person. And since an increasing number of people are buying larger and even second homes, it might very well be the case that while consumption measured by area is reduced, it will increase when measured per person. The actual document does not comment on this.
Also Denmark says explicitly: "Energy consumption must come down". But as with the Norwegians it is not discussed in relation to persons. The policies outlined by the Nordic countries primarily suggest that it is the construction of buildings that provides the means to achieve such goals.
What about sustainability and climate change in Sweden? Here the policy document recommends that the national authorities should: "Work out an architectural and urban policy which puts sustainable development of our cities high on the political agenda."
In the chapter entitled Communications the Swedes note that; "The car has become the city's biggest environmental problem." They also strongly emphasise investments in new rail systems - with central connections in regional growth areas.
How do the Nordic neighbours respond to this challenge? The Norwegian policy highlights eco-friendly transport, but does not really expand upon this idea. There are no suggestions for new railways. The fact that Norway probably has the highest number of domestic flights per person in the world is not raised.
Denmark and Finland do not discuss the issue of transport at all. Given that the Finnish document was produced as long ago as 1998 this is perhaps understandable The Danes however produced their policy-document only two years before the international climate change conference in Copenhagen (COP15) and in this sense it is a somewhat surprising omission.
Finally all four documents deal with aesthetic qualities, with heritage and to some extent training, both of the public and of students of the subject. The Danes also declare that "Danish architectural studies must be among the best in the world".
A major point for Denmark, Norway and Sweden is to see their national architecture become a major commercial commodity for export.
Architecture is about aesthetics and functionalism. It is about buildings and physical planning. It is also about human beings and our interaction with the environment. The questions of transport and energy, as already mentioned, are among other important themes in the public debate on architecture.
In addition sprawl versus densification and public versus private - the latter particular with regard to who control land and property – is high on the agenda. The four documents in question do not however discuss these problems.
In Denmark, Finland and Norway the architectural policies are official government papers produced by the relevant ministries. In Sweden, the document is called Architecture and Politics. The authors are the Swedish Association of Architects, a private organisation. Nevertheless, the Swedish paper retains a strong emphasis on the giving of advice to the Government and to the Riksdag.
The title of the Danish policy paper is A Nation of Architecture - Denmark – Settings for Life and Growth. In Finland it is just called The Finnish Architectural Policy, while the Norwegians say architecture.now – Norwegian Architectural Policy.