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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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A comparative analysis of the political discourses regarding urban development and housing policies in Oslo and Copenhagen

Translated title

En komparativ analyse av politiske diskurser om byutvikling og boligpolitikk i Oslo og København

Author

Term

4. Term

Publication year

2021

Submitted on

Pages

91

Abstract

This thesis compares how the municipalities of Oslo and Copenhagen talk about urban development in their official documents, including housing. Using a comparative discourse analysis (a study of language and ideas in texts), it examines which perspectives and narratives are emphasized. The analysis identifies three dominant themes: social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and co-creation. Here, co-creation refers to collaboration between the municipality, citizens, and other stakeholders. At the same time, urban development is shaped by neoliberal values, meaning market-oriented and competition-focused approaches that influence how goals are pursued. As a result, multiple hegemonic ideologies—dominant ways of thinking that define what is seen as normal—co-exist in these documents and help maintain the prevailing order of discourse.

Denne afhandling sammenligner, hvordan Oslo og Københavns kommuner taler om byudvikling i deres officielle dokumenter, herunder boligudvikling. Med en komparativ diskursanalyse (en analyse af sprog og idéer i tekster) undersøger jeg, hvilke forståelser og fortællinger der fremhæves. Resultatet er, at tre temaer dominerer: social bæredygtighed, miljømæssig bæredygtighed og samskabelse. Samskabelse forstås her som samarbejde mellem kommune, borgere og andre aktører. Samtidig præges byudviklingen af neoliberale værdier, dvs. markedsorienterede og konkurrenceprægede tilgange, som påvirker, hvordan målene forfølges. Det betyder, at flere hegemoniske ideologier—dominerende måder at tænke på, som former, hvad der opfattes som normalt—sameksisterer i dokumenterne og er med til at opretholde den eksisterende diskursorden.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]