• What we do

  The Planning, Law, and Property Rights (PLPR) research group investigates the foundational role of planning, law, and property rights in shaping spatial development processes.

  Our work is theoretically grounded in legal and institutional perspectives, emphasising how regulatory frameworks and property regimes influence land use, urban form, and territorial governance.

  The group’s empirical focus spans Norway, the Nordic countries, and Europe, enabling comparative analyses of planning systems and property rights across diverse socio-political and legal contexts.

• Activities

  We organise six to eight events each year, typically during our teaching periods (autumn parallel and spring parallel). The events will take in various formats, and will all take place in-person. Our activities include:

  • Visiting Talks: Events with selected guest speakers on their research on planning, law, and property rights in their country. Open to all and advertised through the Faculty of Landscape and Society.
  • Reading Club: Joint reading and discussion of selected publications in our field, including re-reading classics and sharing discoveries of relevant new publications. These events will be promoted amongst active and associated members.
  • Workshops: Interactive format to work on early drafts of research proposals for external research funding, articles or general research ideas. These events are restricted to active members and young scholars.
  • Academy: Workshop with young scholars (Master students / PhD students). Includes presentations by the students, methodological inputs by the active and associated members and thematic exercises (e.g., on how to improve the research question). These events will be promoted amongst active and associated members.
  • Explore: Exchange of experiences on scientific or non-scientific skills, e.g., the potential of using new methods or technologies for research (such as software, qualitative methods, etc.). These events will be promoted amongst active and associated members.
  • PLPR Lunch: Informal lunches without a specific agenda.
  • General Assembly: Taking place annually (at the end of the academic year), the success of the research group over the past academic year is reflected upon. Suggestions for improvement for the coming academic year are discussed. A preliminary programme for the upcoming academic year is worked out together. The leadership is elected.

• International conference 2027

  he Research Group is heavily involved in the organisation of the 2027 conference of its international counterpart, which will mark the 21st annual conference and will be hosted in Ås, Norway. Group members play key roles across the scientific and organisational committees, contributing to the development of the conference theme, the academic programme, and related events. This close engagement reflects the group’s strong international standing and its commitment to fostering scholarly exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue, and collaboration within the field, while also strengthening Ås as a hub for high-quality international research meetings.

  See the conference website.

• Events (2026)

  10

  Jun

  Generalprøven for conference season

  Everyone is invited to give short generalprøve talks (5–15 minutes) in preparation for the upcoming summer conference season. This invitation goes especially to our junior scholars - an excellent opportunity to test your abstracts / presentations and receive feedback in a supportive and constructive setting.
  
  14:15-15:45
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen

  19

  May

  Einar Bratteng
  Presentation of his current research in planning law (presentation title will follow)

  09:15-10:45
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen

  29

  Apr

  Knut Boge
  Comparing the Norwegian planning system in an international perspective

  Most planning systems are structured as a hierarchy of norms; that is, superior plans are legally binding upon subordinate plans situated lower in the planning hierarchy. In principle, the Norwegian planning system is intended to function as such a hierarchy of norms. However, when comparing the Norwegian planning system with those of other countries, several inconsistencies and puzzles become apparent.
  
  14.15-15.45
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen

• Events (2025)

  9

  Dec

  Reading Club (Christmas Edition)

  We are pleased to announce the launch of our Reading Club, dedicated to the joint reading and discussion of selected publications in our field. The sessions will include revisiting foundational classics as well as exploring significant recent contributions. This initiative provides an opportunity to deepen scholarly understanding, foster critical dialogue, and share insights on emerging research.
  
  11.30-13.00
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen

  18

  Nov

  Reading Club

  At this meeting, we will discuss the next year’s research activities. This includes peer-presentations of abstracts for conferences, journal submissions, and other scholarly work. The aim is to strengthen collaboration and offer constructive feedback within our group.
  
  11.30-13.00
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen

  11

  Nov

  Visiting Talk: Fabian Wenner: What role do land policy and mobility management play?

  We are hosting the first guest lecture in our new cross-departmental research group: Planning, Law, and Property Rights. We’re delighted to welcome Fabian Wenner from Hochschule RheinMain, who will talk about the role of land policy and mobility management for sustainable urban development.
  
  11:30–13:00
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen
  
  Fabian Wenner (Hochschule RheinMain, Germany)
  “Sustainable Urban Development: What role for land policy and mobility management?”
  
  We are looking forward to discussing how these approaches might be adapted to our local context in Ås, and hope many of you will join the conversation.

  21

  Oct

  Reading Club

  In this session, we will share experiences from conferences and journals in our field and discuss strategies for successful submissions. A key focus will be on the role of abstracts - why they matter, what makes them effective, and how to craft abstracts that capture attention and clearly communicate research contributions.
  
  11.30-13.00
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen

  7

  Oct

  Research Group kick-off

  We are excited to announce the official launch of our research group dedicated to exploring the intersections of planning, law, and property rights. This event marks the beginning of a collaborative platform for sharing ideas, fostering dialogue, and shaping future research directions.
  Join us as we introduce the group’s vision, upcoming activities, and opportunities for engagement. Together, we aim to build a vibrant community that advances knowledge and practice in this critical field.
  
  We are excited to announce the official launch of our research group dedicated to exploring the intersections of planning, law, and property rights. This event marks the beginning of a collaborative platform for sharing ideas, fostering dialogue, and shaping future research directions.
  Join us as we introduce the group’s vision, upcoming activities, and opportunities for engagement. Together, we aim to build a vibrant community that advances knowledge and practice in this critical field.
  
  11.30-13.00
  Rådsalen, Økonomibygningen

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