Tetthetstiltak

Tetthetstiltak, or density measures, is a term used in urban planning and policy to describe instruments designed to influence the spatial concentration of buildings, people, and activities in a place. The aim is to create settlements that balance housing supply, mobility, and access to services, while managing resource use and environmental impact.

The instruments are varied. Regulatory tools include zoning rules and land-use plans that set densities, such as floor-area ratio limits or height restrictions, and inclusionary zoning that requires a share of new units to be affordable. Incentives such as density bonuses or expedited permitting are used to promote higher density near transit or in redeveloped areas. Urban-design measures, including the layout of streets, block sizes, mix of uses, and provision of public spaces, influence how dense an area feels and functions.

In practice, tetthetstiltak are applied to support sustainable housing development, reduce urban sprawl, increase access to public transport, and improve energy efficiency. They may also be used to relieve overcrowding in underserviced areas or to channel growth to already well-connected locations.

Implementation requires planning expertise, data on population and building stock, and stakeholder participation. Evaluation uses indicators such as dwelling units per hectare, occupancy and crowding metrics, transit accessibility, and environmental impacts. Critics warn about potential downsides, including displacement, rising land values, and inequitable outcomes if safeguards are not included.

Related terms include urban density, floor-area ratio, zoning, and transit-oriented development.