Planstrategi

Planstrategi is a municipal strategic instrument in the Norwegian planning system that governs how a municipality organizes and prioritizes its planning work. It is a formal document adopted by the municipal council and serves as the basis for subsequent planning activities, including the municipal master plan (kommuneplan) and detailed plans. Planstrategi sits within the Planning and Building Act framework and aims to ensure that planning follows political priorities, regional and national guidelines, and long‑term societal goals.

The purpose of planstrategi is to translate political ambitions into planning practice. It sets priorities for where and how planning should take place, identifies core policy areas such as housing, infrastructure, environment, and climate adaptation, and specifies how planning work should be coordinated across sectors and disciplines. It also outlines the rules for public participation, information, and accountability, and often defines criteria for selecting plan areas and projects.

Typical content includes a vision for the municipality’s planning work, prioritization criteria for future plans, the governance model (roles of the planning department and politicians), a timetable and budget framework, a strategy for public involvement, and a monitoring and evaluation plan to track progress.

Process and adoption usually involve drafting by the administration, political consideration and approval by the council, and opportunities for public consultation. Planstrategi guides the plan‑cycle activities and is updated periodically to reflect changes in policy, growth, and local conditions. It interacts with regional plans and national planning policies to ensure coherent development.