About: Oslo - Beyond the Postcard

In early March 2020, as COVID-19 upended everyday life, I started a blog to further conversations about cities and spatial planning during the coronavirus. I hoped to stay in contact with others who were also self-isolating. Circumstances soon caused many worldwide to reconsider the importance of our cities; initially for playing an essential role in responding to COVID-19 and, moreover, as enriching environments for our humanity.

Conversations that started then inspired this website. Beyond the Postcard presents visually-driven stories about what makes Oslo an enlivening city. As the pages develop, visitors can tour Oslo’s districts, explore historical sites, experience aspects of Oslo’s urbanism, and learn about emerging developments and surprising details about the city.

Though the project intends to look “beyond the postcard” representations of Oslo, it also hopes to build on the tradition of postcards sent from urban destinations, creating an easy way to share inspiring images and unique experiences from afar.

I have been working with interests central to developing vibrant cities and profiling Oslo for years, exploring its rich past and contemporary urban life and touring international visitors through the city as part of my research, work, and teaching.

This project is made possible through support from Oslo Municipality.

Oslo - Beyond the Postcard: virtuelle bydelsomvisninger og visuelt drevet, stedsbaserte historiefortellinger av Oslos byliv er gjort mulig gjennom støtte fra Oslo kommune og Byråd for næring og eierskap.