Modellverksted Skedsmo ~upd~ -

Author: [Institutional Affiliation] Course: BYP302 – Urban Planning and Civic Engagement Date: June 2026 Abstract This paper examines the establishment, methodology, and impact of Modellverksted Skedsmo (Skedsmo Model Workshop), a municipal initiative designed to bridge the gap between abstract planning documents and tangible community engagement. Through the use of physical 3D modeling, digital twin technology, and co-creative workshops, the model workshop redefined how citizens, students, and policymakers interact with urban development projects. Drawing on case studies from the transformation of Skedsmo sentrum, the Rælingsdalen green corridor, and school-based participatory budgeting, this paper argues that model workshops serve as critical infrastructural tools for democratic resilience. The findings suggest that tactile and visual modeling lowers barriers to participation, fosters intergenerational dialogue, and produces more robust planning outcomes. However, challenges related to resource intensity, representativeness, and digital exclusion persist.

Over six months, the model workshop hosted 12 open “build evenings.” A base model of the existing sentrum was prepared. Participants could move colored blocks representing new buildings, add green spaces using felt patches, and adjust road widths using tape. Each session was photographed, and changes were digitized into the twin. modellverksted skedsmo

The motivation behind Modellverksted Skedsmo arose from a recurring frustration among both planners and residents. Traditional planning processes—relying on technical drawings, zoning maps, and formal public consultations—often left citizens feeling alienated. Many residents reported that they could not visualize how a proposed building would affect sunlight on their balcony, how a new bike path would connect to existing routes, or what “density” meant for their children’s play areas. Conversely, planners struggled to translate local knowledge into actionable design changes. The findings suggest that tactile and visual modeling

Forester, J. (1999). The deliberative practitioner: Encouraging participatory planning processes . MIT Press. part digital visualization lab

Modellverksted, Skedsmo, participatory planning, urban modeling, co-creation, civic technology 1. Introduction In 2018, the former municipality of Skedsmo—now part of the larger Lillestrøm municipality in Viken county, Norway—launched an experimental initiative known as Modellverksted Skedsmo . Located in a repurposed warehouse near Skedsmo sentrum, the workshop was neither a traditional architect’s office nor a public hearing hall. Instead, it was a hybrid space: part model-building atelier, part digital visualization lab, and part community meeting place.

Lillestrøm kommune. (2025). Evaluering av Modellverksted Skedsmo 2018–2025 . Internal report.