Norway is widely perceived as a global frontrunner in environmental responsibility and sustainable development. Yet, tensions arise when national green ambitions translate into local land-use decisions shaped by competing values and aims. This thesis explores such a conflict on Askøy, an island near Bergen. Despite several objections and years of local resistance, a proposed sustainable urban development project called Kildn has been dominating the municipal planning debates. Kildn is promoted by the developers “as a new way of thinking” to become the world’s first zero-emission cruise harbour and fjord metro hub. However, the project is planned to be built on Askøy’s last untouched coastline, raising concerns about nature conservation, local identity and democratic participation. To explore how this debate unfolds, the study applies a critical planning perspective and analyses how different actors – including politicians, citizens, and developers - discursively construct their aims and mobilise support through texts, discursive strategies and engagement with social practices in multiple public arenas. Through a qualitative discourse analysis of interviews, social media, and documents, the research formed a nuanced and in-depth understanding of how underlying power and contextual dynamics shape the knowledge, legitimacy and influence of the discourses within the planning process. The findings reveal that planning is far from a neutral or purely technical process. Even in a democratic, consensus-oriented society with embedded participatory practices like Norway, hidden power dynamics and contextual dynamics determine whose voices are heard and whose knowledge is perceived as legitimate. However, the study also shows that marginalised groups can influence planning debates by organising strategically, building alliances, demonstrating dedicated leadership and creating visibility across various platforms. This thesis highlights the need for urban planners to recognise how discourse and power operate within complex contexts to shape planning outcomes, and to develop more inclusive decision-making processes that respond effectively to public value conflicts.

The Dutch population is facing a housing crisis. This crisis has slowly been affecting housing options in the whole country, but it predominantly shows problems in the densely populated urban regions. In September 2021, approximately 15000 gathered in Amsterdam at a large housing protest: the Woonprotest. This research is an explorative case study to comprehend the pluriformity of ideologies and protest motives that came together at the Woonprotest. By means of a literature review, a photo analysis and qualitative interviews, the differences in housing ideologies and protest motives of the protesters are determined. Based on a literature review, the run-up to the housing crisis is reconstructed. A photo analysis determines the different types of protest attendees. By analysing the interviews, it appears that protesters clearly have three different ideologies when it comes to housing: communism, anarchism, and solving the crisis within the current system. However, the respondents’ opinions on actual policy changes are very similar, even when it comes to radical ideas. Considering the protest motives, the respondents have equivalent purposes to protest. Protesters want to express their discontent with the housing shortage and they want something to change after the protest. The results of this research helps the movement to get a grip on its supporters. Further research is needed to understand the implications of having strong differences in ideologies within the housing movement.