ABSTRACT
In Norway there has been for some time a debate going on about how well physical planning works. On the basis of studies up to the present, it is pretty unambiguous that the overall planning works well as a control instrument for land development in "virgin territory". To the extent that there are discrepancies, these are related to the fact that conflicts, in particular with conservation interests, but also with nature and outdoor interests, have been sufficiently clarified during the planning process. In these cases the planning process has not led to the key actors developing common visions about how land use actually ought to be and subsequent reviewing of the overall plans has had the role of a replay. This illustrates how important it is that the planning process involves broad participation from involved parties in the commune and from "veto-bodies" and that during the process it is possible to develop common visions and compromises on the rough long-term land use.
