During 2 intensive and creative days politicians, planners and business people were working on an updated strategy for development of Ørje town center. The workshop was organised by Municipal Director of development, Mr. Vidar Østenby.

 

Town planning experts Michael Fuller-Gee from Husbanken and Alf S. Johansen from the regional council were facilitating the workshop and presented a final summary of the TiF workshop to the council in Marker Municipality.

The advice from the workshop is to strengthen the connection between the historical town center and the area connected to Ørje Brug where there is a spectacular waterfall and a channel with locks. Further on it's a priority to establish more flats in the center and to remake the town square. Many backyards and empty spots can be better exploited and some really charming old wooden barns could be transformed into flats, cafes, shops or galleries. One of the ideas is to move the library from the town hall and into the town square and to make an interesting public meeting place out of it. Another idea is to exploit the options for establishing a variety of different sized intersting houses and other premises with view to the waterways. One idea is also to establish better view points to the waterfall and an option to walk around the area over a bridge. Many other ideas, such as better tourism promotion etc..were also discussed.

The workshop helped significantly to enhance awareness of need and possibilities for strengthening Ørje center. 

The results can be downloaded here.