Urban open space planning in Finland, Norway, and Sweden

Abstract

The North American and British recreation planning literature contains little analysis of patterns of the provision of urban open space within specific countries, or of current legislation and planning processes. This lack of literature is notably evident in relation to Finland, Norway, and Sweden. This paper examines the history and current context of urban open space planning in those countries. While nature-based recreation appears to be a major factor in the lack of emphasis on urban open space in Finland and Norway in particular, there are great differences in the philosophy of recreation planning and in the provision of urban open space among the three countries.