ABSTRACT
Public participation in the planning processes is secured through the Planning and Building Act of 1985. § 16 of the Act states that: The national, county municipal and municipal planning authorities shall make an active effort at an early stage of the planning work to inform about the planning activity pursuant to the Act. Public participation became an official item on the planning agenda in Norway by the commissioned report on A new planning act. Prior to this public participation, in particular in the sense of user participation in rehabilitation projects in residential areas, had been on the agenda of planners throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. Generally speaking efficiency of planning first and foremost is clamed to be the goal of more and better public participation. But democratic arguments, like a need for more influence by the public, also could be found.
