Goal 3: Both cities and rural areas in the Nordic Region must be characterised by good and secure living conditions

Security and good living conditions in the cities and rural areas of the Nordic Region imply access to jobs, private and public services and the securing of a stable supply and production, both in times of peace and in crisis situations. This also means good and attractive living and housing environments in which nature and heritage landscapes are protected. This is a condition to attract and retain both younger and older citizens in the rural areas of the Nordic Region. Regional policy and physical planning in the Nordic countries play an important role in promoting sustainable solutions based on the conditions and adaptive capacities of local areas. Nordic co-operation around regional policy and planning should contribute towards promoting the ability of the regions in the Nordics to create developing, sustainable and resilient areas in which people want to live, and to contribute towards innovative solutions as part of our transition towards sustainable development.

It is important that work undertaken in relation to regional development and planning contribute towards preventing and addressing housing segregation, socio-economic inequality and social exclusion. These are issues which constitute a common challenge – particularly in the cities of the Nordic Region. At the same time, new industrialisation in smaller localities and rural areas requires a clearer and more holistic approach to land-use planning, as well as linkage between local labour markets and housing supply in order to promote sustainable development. Nordic co-operation within regional development and planning should contribute towards creating a level playing field for all, regardless of living environment, identifying common challenges related to the construction of and access to quality housing in the cities and rural areas of the Nordic Region, and promoting solutions that can ensure various alternatives for housing rental in rural areas.

Good and stable access to both private and public services is essential to ensuring that it is an attractive prospect to live, study and work in all parts of the Nordic Region, and a prerequisite for the competitiveness of local and regional economy. This also applies to rural areas characterised by long distances and sparse populations. At the same time, the changing geopolitical situation underscores the importance of a strong civil society. Nordic co-operation within regional development and planning should promote collaboration and preparedness locally and between different actors in the Nordic countries in order to create good access to public and private services in all parts of the Nordic Region. The purpose of this is to bolster the attractiveness, cohesion, proximity and resilience of the Nordic areas, both in times of peace and in crisis situations.