Sustainable Urban Transitions and New Public Management - The Norwegian Experience

Nordic welfare states are often looked to by those who favor more collective and collaborative models of governance. However, as in other European countries, the New Public Management (NPM) model has hollowed out much of the Nordic welfare states. The first half of this book demonstrates the ensuing consequences on the Norwegian society. The book questions whether NPM is compatible with the transition to a more sustainable society.

The second half of the book describes a more transformative direction, furthering sustainable cities that will support the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants and usher in more collaborative efforts to improve sustainability. Working from visions of a new future rather than from existing systems, based on an alternative and a more holistic governance model, could bring our communities in a more sustainable direction. The book will be of great interest to scholars and students of sustainability, public management and urban development.