Norway: Josalin Kumm (Sustainability in Trondheim)

Trondheim is very focused on sustainability for the future. The city is a smart city as part of a project governed by the European Union. One of the main ways they are increasing sustainability is using less energy and updating the transportation system. The main public transport options such bus and trains are all electric. I have seen a large percentage of the population, from small children and the elderly, use the bus as the main form of transportation around and near the city.

On the other hand, electric vehicles are the main option for personal vehicles.  The government is employing subsidies to incentives Norwegians to not purchase gas or diesel vehicles. Many of the rideshare services use electric vehicles as well. Most of the rideshare services that I have used have been electric cars.

The accessibility of the bus is also better than many of the trains and bus of the United States. The doors of the bus are large enough for a wide variety of hobbies and ways of life. I have seen children ride their bikes onto the bus and parents bring large strollers. I have also watched wheelchairs easily brought into and out of the bus with no hassle. The bus and train systems are very well connected and can get you most places in Norway. I have also heard of people bringing skis and other outdoor equipment onto the bus to get to ski hills outside of town.

Trondheim has fixed many of the last mile problems. This allows people that might not live right next to a bus stop to be able to use other forms of transportation such as a bicycle or a scooter to get the rest of the way home. I have seen thousands of electric scooters around Trondheim. Some of my classmates even use them on a regular basis to get to the university.

Trondheim is in no way a perfect city, but it has taken steps in recent years to be more sustainable through energy and transportation. I have enjoyed using the public transportation that has been supported through sustainable efforts by the EU and the Norwegian Government. I hope Trondheim will continue its path to a sustainable future.

 

Josalin Kumm

Hometown: Amherst, Wisconsin

Major: Industrial Engineering

Program:  Norwegian Institute of Science & Technology Engineering Exchange