Assessing the outcomes of area-based initiatives using neighbourhood sustainability assessment tools: The case of Groruddalen

Abstract

This paper considers the introduction of area-based initiatives to Europe to tackle urban decline. Challenges evaluating outcomes of such initiatives are uncovered through a literature review. The paper then investigates whether neighbourhood sustainability assessments tools such as Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) can successfully capture the outcomes of area-based initiatives. With the use of a case study of the Groruddalen initiative, this study seeks to uncover the applicability of neighbourhood assessment tools to measure the performance of area-based initiatives. The results reveal that these tools can capture the outcomes of area-based initiatives to some extent. If these tools were to be developed further, however, they can prove to be an effective indicator of the performance of area-based initiatives.