Oslo

1. Vigeland Park: Oslo is home to Vigeland Park, the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland. It features over 200 sculptures and is a unique outdoor museum that is free to visit. 2. Oslo's Green Spaces: Approximately 60% of Oslo is covered by forests and green spaces, making it one of the greenest capitals in the world. This extensive network of parks and forests allows residents and visitors to enjoy nature within the city. 3. The Munch Museum: While many may know Edvard Munch for "The Scream," few realize that Oslo houses the Munch Museum, which is dedicated to his life and works. The museum features a vast collection of Munch's art, including paintings, sketches, and personal belongings.

Oslo's housing market is characterized by high demand and limited supply, driving up prices and rents. The city's population grew by 1.2% in 2024, reaching 723,200 by September, fueling housing needs. As of 2024, Oslo has approximately 720,000 housing units. The average price per square meter for a home in Oslo is around 7,800 euros (90,000 NOK), significantly higher than the national average. Rental rates have soared, with the average monthly rent in Oslo reaching about 1,650 euros (19,000 NOK) as of late 2024, a 20% increase over two years. Approximately 70% of Oslo residents own their homes, while 30% rent. The rental market is primarily served by private landlords, with professional rental actors accounting for 43.8% of rentals. Public and social housing plays a limited role, with municipal housing representing only 4.8% of the rental market. Cooperative housing is more significant, with about 13-14% of Norway's total housing stock being cooperative dwellings. The city aims to increase affordable housing, with initiatives like Oslobolig targeting 20% of housing to be affordable. However, the market remains competitive, with properties selling quickly and prices continuing to rise, making homeownership increasingly challenging for many residents.

The Oslo city administration is actively addressing housing affordability challenges through several initiatives. The city aims to make Oslo a place where everyone can own their home, in line with Norway's "eierlinja" policy. A key target is to have at least 20% of housing in Oslo be affordable. To achieve this, Oslo launched OsloBolig in 2022, a public-private partnership offering alternative housing solutions. OsloBolig purchases newly built homes from developers at a discount and resells them to qualifying residents at below-market prices. The program includes options for shared equity and gradual ownership increases. The city is also promoting sustainable housing through projects like Oen, a planned circular apartment building that will produce more energy than it consumes. Additionally, Oslo has implemented procurement criteria encouraging the use of emission-free construction machinery and materials transport in municipal projects. Other initiatives include the Oslo Model for socially responsible procurement, which aims to improve transparency and reduce exploitative practices in construction. The city is also piloting innovative approaches to material reuse and circular construction, as seen in projects like Fyrstikkbakken 14 and the Løren Sports Hall. These efforts demonstrate Oslo's commitment to creating more affordable and sustainable housing options for its residents while addressing environmental concerns and promoting social equity.

Housing cooperatives play a significant role in Oslo's housing market, with OBOS (Oslo Bolig- og Sparelag) being the largest housing cooperative in the Nordic region. Established in 1929, OBOS has over 435,000 members, primarily in the Oslo area. Cooperative housing accounts for a substantial portion of Oslo's housing stock, providing an important supply of homes for low and medium-income households. The city of Oslo has been actively promoting cooperative housing as part of its strategy to address housing affordability challenges. In 2019, the City Government launched a policy plan called "Nye veier til egen bolig" (New paths to a permanent home) to expand housing options for a broader segment of the population. The plan aims to facilitate at least 1,000 new homes within the "third housing sector" by the end of 2023, working with private and non-commercial actors. The long-term goal is for at least 20% of housing in Oslo to be affordable. One notable cooperative project in Oslo is Oen, a circular apartment building planned by OBOS in the Ammerud area. This innovative development will feature 150 energy-positive apartments, with solar panels covering the roof to generate more energy than the building consumes. The project aims to combine environmental sustainability with affordable housing, showcasing Oslo's commitment to innovative cooperative housing solutions.