1 EVALUATING THE SUSTAINABILITY VALUE MAP:

Sustainability assessments are widely applied in urban contexts to increase the understanding of and move toward more sustainable cities. A common approach is the use of frameworks with key indicators as tools. This study evaluates the assessment tool Sustainability Value Map (SVM), developed by Chris Butters, through the case study of Sagene Urban District in Oslo, Norway. The SVM gives equal priority to the environmental, economical and social dimensions of sustainable development, and grades various parameters within each aspect. The end-result creates a holistic visualisation of the area’s sustainability. An SVM was specifically designed for Sagene Urban District. 56 quantitative and qualitative indicators were selected and utilized. Data from public surveys and statistics were measured against appropriate targets and comparisons to determine each parameter’s degree of sustainability. The conclusions raise concerns about the validity of the end-results, due to the lack of appropriate sustainability targets. It is suggested that the SVM’s most appropriate use is as a process tool with the involvement of experts, stakeholders and members of the public. The tool is also suitable for assessments with pre-set targets rather than “ideal ” sustainability goals