Roa

Roa, nestled north of Oslo, faces a paradox. While its sister villages thrive as Oslo suburbs, the northernmost settlement of Lunner Municipality Roa, stagnates, seemingly "just a little too far away” from the metropolitan boom. Fragmented and dispersed planning and a dearth of public spaces further erode its appeal. Ironically, its strategic location sitting just outside of a newly established road toll is making Roa increasingly attractive to larger industries and big-box retailers.

Norway's unique geography, climate, and rugged terrain have led to the development of numerous communities with a car-based suburban structure. Additionally, Norway's economy has traditionally been based on resource extraction and agriculture, which has led to the development of smaller, dispersed communities like Roa. These settlements often lack the infrastructure and amenities of a traditional city center, such as public transportation, walkability, and mixed-use zoning. Often, these communities are characterized by an aging population, as the younger generations move to the cities in search of work. 

The aging population, commonly known as “eldrebølgen,” will increase the demand for healthcare and support services, putting significant strain on the health system and its resources, personnel, and infrastructure. The very fabric of Roa – its dispersed single-family housing model – will aggravate these pressures. The fact that Roa needs 300 senior-adapted housing units underscores the urgency of addressing this demographic shift.

1. Generate a vision for how the site can be transformed with housing, social and physical activities for young and elderly people as well as a few key services.
2. Explore how developing Frøystad can be the starting point to help structure a denser, more attractive, and inclusive center in Roa beyond the project site, in a way that can free up brownfields for development to ease the pressure on virgin lands.