Understanding the Governance System in the Campus Development; the Cases of Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to understand the governance system in the university campus development process in Norway. Norwegian cases can provide appropriate examples to study governance because of two main reasons; Firstly, local governments in Norway have historically performed crucial development functions. Secondly, the national government places a great emphasis on dialogue and cooperation between the state and cities and between public and private parties. This paper is based on the findings of the two different cases in Norway; Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Ås and Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. A new and modern, but still historically grounded tradition in Norway views the university as a product of its relationship with the city and its urban surroundings, with a strong belief in a university of the city, and not simply, in the city. Considering the ‘university of the city’ concept adopts different focuses at different stages, involves many internal and external stakeholders, and attracts divergent interests and power relations. A main result of this study is that a successful campus development depends to a large extent on the process of exchange and governance between the national government (mainly the Ministry of Education) and the universities in Norway. A delay in the campus development process can be a result of the university's neglect of the role and power of the national government.