This city has surpassed Oslo and Bergen. It has been recognized as the best place to live in Norway
We know the results of the latest housing friendliness ranking prepared by the Norwegian Association of Housing Cooperatives (NBBL). The ranking evaluated the 20 largest municipalities in the country in terms of housing policy, availability of building plots, and the time it takes to process applications.
Every year, NBBL selects the municipality that performs best in housing development among the 20 most populous municipalities in the country.
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The ranking included 119 Norwegian municipalities, from which those performing best in housing development were selected. NBBL assesses municipalities according to 16 indicators, such as the length of administrative procedures, level of fees, or the number of available plots.
Sandnes, which took first place, stands out for its high pace of investment, digitalization of processes, and predictable handling of construction matters. It also has updated spatial development plans and no rejected plan proposals.
Sandnes, which took first place, stands out for its high pace of investment, digitalization of processes, and predictable handling of construction matters. It also has updated spatial development plans and no rejected plan proposals.
The best places to live in Norway
Second place went to Sarpsborg, which climbed eight spots in the past year thanks to shorter planning processing times and an increase in the number of homes being built. Skien, last year's winner, remained among the leaders due to a large number of building plots and effective administration.
Fredrikstad and Trondheim also made the top five, both showing a high level of investment activity. Trondheim leads in the number of buildings being constructed, although it performs slightly worse in terms of granting permits.
Fredrikstad and Trondheim also made the top five, both showing a high level of investment activity. Trondheim leads in the number of buildings being constructed, although it performs slightly worse in terms of granting permits.
Oslo with a record-long time for processing regulatory plans.Photo: stock.adobe.com/standard license
The capital with lengthy procedures
At the opposite end of the spectrum were Lillestrøm and Oslo. The capital took second-to-last place, with a record-long average time for processing regulatory plans—2,168 days, or almost six years.
According to NBBL, Oslo lacks ready-made construction projects, which means the number of new homes cannot keep up with population growth. As a result, the capital has the fewest prepared areas for development among the largest municipalities. Asker, Tønsberg, and Bergen also ranked low.
According to NBBL, Oslo lacks ready-made construction projects, which means the number of new homes cannot keep up with population growth. As a result, the capital has the fewest prepared areas for development among the largest municipalities. Asker, Tønsberg, and Bergen also ranked low.
NBBL: "Housing policy delivers results"
The results of the NBBL housing friendliness ranking show significant differences in how municipalities approach housing development. According to NBBL director Bård Folke Fredriksen, the ranking is meant to help local governments share experiences and create more resident-friendly housing policies.
Municipalities that invest in shorter procedures and the development of building plans respond better to residents' needs and provide greater stability in the real estate market.
Municipalities that invest in shorter procedures and the development of building plans respond better to residents' needs and provide greater stability in the real estate market.
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