The future of the Norwegian Government Quarter after the terrorist attack

The Government has decided that the Norwegian ministries are to be situated together in and around the present government quarter. The further process will be decided after the government has carried out a broad, open process in which different parties are encouraged to contribute.

- We want to hear the public’s opinion before we make a final decision on whether to keep existing buildings or construct new ones, Minister of Government Administration, Ms. Rigmor Aasrud, says.  An internet blog will be established, in order to enable everyone to provide their input until 1 April: Blogg.regjeringen.no/regjeringskvartalet

The decision to maintain an amalgamated government quarter is recommended from a security point of view. At the same time, this contributes to efficient interaction and short distance between the different ministries as well as parliament - the Storting. None of the buildings are so seriously damaged that demolition is necessary. The constructions are safe, but are in need of repair.  The high rise government building housing the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Justice has the greatest need for rehabilitation in addition to the damage caused by the bomb.

A concept choice study is to going to be carried out. An alternative will be to rebuild the government quarter as it was before 22 July. It is also possible to demolish all the buildings; however, several in-between alternatives are possible as well. In addition, the government wants a presentation of alternatives which also include the possibility to have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment moved to the government quarter. Hence, in the further process several different alternatives will be worked out.

- In the coming months we have to weigh the different arguments; this is no easy decision to make and also not a process to be taken lightly, Ms Aasrud says.

Ms Aasrud also states that the government has decided that the development of the government quarter is going to be carried out according to a government plan and not a municipal plan. This is done for reasons of security and progress. It means that the government takes the responsibility to carry out the planning procedure; however, all affected organs will naturally have their say according to the requirements of the planning and building act.

For the time being, no financial estimates have been made concerning the different alternatives. This will be done through external quality assurance of concept choice (KS 1).