ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts discussed in the preceding chapters of the book. The book shows quite clearly how sustainability influences many aspects in planning and how tricky it often is to find the right balance between economic efficiency and environmental and social aspects. It also shows some examples of how this balance can be put under pressure and hopefully how it can be restored. Much of the decision-making in planning is gradually delegated to the municipalities, partly as a result of pressure for greater democracy and to make better use of local knowledge. Most recently we have seen the planning reform in Denmark, where regional planning outside urban areas is delegated to the new and larger municipalities. In Norway, planning infrastructure such as roads and rail take part within a planning system in which local governments approve the plans. Planning is increasingly outsourced to local private agents and plans are increasingly an integrated part of development projects.
