Bynærhet

Bynærhet is a term used in urban and regional planning to describe how close a place is to urban functions and services, and thus how easily residents can reach work, commerce, culture, and public services. The word combines by (city) and nærhet (proximity). The concept is used to evaluate settlements and land-use plans by assessing accessibility to city centers, public transport, and a range of services such as shops, schools, healthcare, and cultural facilities.

Measurement and indicators: Bynærhet is often measured through travel time or distance to the city center or to key services, using modes like walking, cycling, car, and public transport. Planning approaches such as transit-oriented development and the urban-commuter gradient categorize land according to its level of bynærhet. The growing attention to the 15-minute city has parallels with bynærhet, emphasizing that essential functions should be reachable within a short time.

Implications: High bynærhet can support compact growth, reduce car dependency, and increase service efficiency, but may also raise land prices and intensify pressure on housing markets and infrastructure. Conversely, low bynærhet areas may experience population decline, service attrition, and longer travel times.

Regional usage: In Norway and other Nordic countries, bynærhet figures in municipal master plans and national policy frameworks that seek to balance urban networks with rural areas, promote sustainable mobility, and preserve green space while maintaining access to urban functions.