Reader’s letter This is a debate entry, written by an external contributor. The post expresses the writer’s views.
The plan for Bodø Glimt’s new stadium and BHK’s exciting hall project in the city’s most central area provide unique opportunities to create synergies between a number of players who have considerable expertise in large events. Both projects are in an important planning phase. In this context, they must also take a closer look at the neighborhood they are to be a part of.
Against this background, it is interesting that the city council, when dealing with the plan for sports and outdoor life in the meeting on 21.3, decided to request that a report be presented on the structure and interaction between the new BHK hall and Bodø Spektrum, and other halls. I think this is a good initiative. It can be usefully put into a slightly broader perspective.
Together with Nordlandshallen, Bodøhallen, Nordlandsbadet, Bodø Tennis Club’s facility, the Aviation Museum, the Parkenfestivalen, the Swimming Hall stage, the War Museum, the Flight Academy and the entire City nord – the complex, the aforementioned players will be part of the city’s and the county’s largest meeting place for people.
Not everyone is aware of it, but even Østbyen school is an important piece in many events as accommodation for visiting teams and associations. Getting a survey of what this area can offer from actors and services within events and what is missing and can be established, can be important to get done.
My experience from social and business development at municipal and regional level is that specialist expertise within various industries is often the most important growth factor. Proximity to natural resources and good local markets is also important, but has in several contexts been a sleeping pillow for development at a time when human capital has become increasingly important.
Mentioned players in this central logistics hub in Bodø have significant expertise in various types of events where many people gather. This is a subject area with many components. With Bodø Glimt’s new stadium, which will be able to gather 5-10,000 spectators a number of times over the course of a year, the importance of the area with its facilities and expertise will increase.
Organizers and large public-facing companies have a number of common needs that must be met in a good way. The possibilities for creating positive synergies between these and with others are definitely present. The most immediate problem is transport and parking, where the capacity around the Nordlandshallen is already blown up even at local football tournaments.
Solving the traffic challenges will have a lot to say about how this area will be experienced in the years to come. The environmental perspective in the broadest sense should be taken care of at the same time that thousands of people are served at various events and activities. Should this be designed as a large traffic machine or should the areas be given other qualities that promote well-being between buildings, roads and car parks?
Creating the physical basis for well-being in this “urban space” must be an important urban development task, as it has been in the city centre, where Bodø municipality in close cooperation with Bodø Business Forum, farm owners and property developers have invested large sums.
This means that the various players in the event industry should come together to find out how they can develop and run the area in the best possible way. Here too, Bodø municipality is a significant player through its properties and facilities and through its role as planning authority.
In the work to create growth in Bodø through physical planning and facilitation, precisely this area should receive the attention of the town planning authorities. Here are potentials for new functions and establishments that will provide synergies also in the short term.
Regulatory plans in the area must be coordinated and adjusted. This is a task that Bodø municipality, as a planning authority, should prioritize. Here are existing areas that can be developed and converted. In addition, areas south of City Nord and the Aviation Museum that are included in the municipal sub-plan for Hernes should be seen in the context of further development of the area. All experience shows that it is also important to have housing in or near such areas. Nobl is, for example, a significant player with several housing associations here.
Perhaps Bodø Glimt’s and BHK’s current plans could be what sets the stage for a new collaboration between different actors that target a wide audience in this exciting city center area.
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