The state of the public built environment in Norway

Liv Kari Skudal Hansteen
CEO
The Norwegian Association for Consulting Engineering Companies (RIF)
Oslo, Norway

Public buildings and infrastructure are a country’s backbone. If this backbone does not work sufficiently, the the consequences can be fatal for society.

It is therefor crucial to have sufficient knowledge of the conditions to determine whether the buildings and infrastructure are functional, safe and sustainable – and not least: whether it is robust enough to withstand climate change. This knowledge is often deficient, which was the situation in Norway until 2010.

Because in contrast to the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global where we could follow the development of the fund’s value with a single keystroke, there was no equivalent for the great values that generations have built up onshore. In addition, there was no cross-political agreement on how the onshore public values could be secured and managed for current and future generations, as politicians across party lines had agreed on concerning the Fund’s savings.

The need for knowledge was enormous. That is why we in the Norwegian Association for Consulting Engineering Companies (RIF) chose to conduct extensive examinations on the state of the public infrastructure and in Norway. The first report was produced in 2010, and we launched the last one in 2021.

RIF sees it as our social responsibility to map and highlight the values and needs and, not least, to advise on what is needed to get the most out of public spending. Our members, the consulting engineers, have the necessary expertise to make such assessments. With this expertise comes an important responsibility, which we have chosen to take on.

The maintenance backlog is increasing rapidly

At first glance, the weaknesses in our infrastructure and buildings may not always be seen. Many new roads and magnificent buildings have been constructed in recent years. At the same time, the deterioration of existing infrastructure and buildings has accelerated.

The findings of our research are both worrying and deterring. Since the report in 2015, maintenance needs have increased by over NOK 600 billion. As a result, the total price tag for the maintenance backlog is now above NOK 3,200 billion, corresponding to the vertiginous amount of 31.2 billion euros. Without extraordinary measures, the legacy of our generation stands at risk of becoming those who failed to take care of their own country and sent the burden of their negligence to future generations.

Climate change makes us even more vulnerable

The extensive maintenance backlog makes Norway even more vulnerable to climate change. The latest report from the UN’s climate panel (IPCC) states that climate change will lead to increasingly severe and frequent extreme weather. As early as the mid-2030s, the total greenhouse gas emissions may cause the global temperature to exceed 1.5 degrees, which will have a vast and severe impact on our lives. It is time for us all to realise that there will be no escape, not even for Norway.

We must recognise that the consequences of climate change present society with formidable challenges. A wetter and warmer Norway with more frequent extreme weather will entail significant societal challenges and costs. Some of the damage cannot be reversed. It is, therefore, crucial to prioritise climate adaptation.

Preparing current and planned infrastructures, both above and below the ground, to cope with future weather conditions can mitigate some of the consequences of climate change. Stormwater management is an example of an invisible measure which can save us from high costs in the future. For every 10 cents invested in stormwater management, 2.5 euros will be saved in damage repair.

With ever-increasing challenges linked to climate change, increased pressure on cities and decreasing financial resources, it is crucial to take action. Climate change will change how, where and what we build. Climate adaptation requires extensive national planning and extra funding.

Correct priorities have never been more important

31.2 billion euros. This number can appear almost unfathomably large. Even though it naive to believe that it will ever be equal to zero, this does not mean we shall stand on the sideline and watch it grow. Instead, we need to come together to form a plan on how to prepare our nation for what is about to come. Both the consulting engineering industry and research intuitions are ready to contribute with our expertise to ensure that this happens in a sustainable way.

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