The model workshop produced a detailed topographical model of the 4 km corridor. Residents were invited to “draw” desired paths using yarn and to place “animal crossing” markers where they had observed hedgehogs, deer, or amphibians. A separate session for hunters and landowners used the digital twin to simulate seasonal water flow.
Forester, J. (1999). The deliberative practitioner: Encouraging participatory planning processes . MIT Press. modellverksted skedsmo
Author: [Institutional Affiliation] Course: BYP302 – Urban Planning and Civic Engagement Date: June 2026 Abstract This paper examines the establishment, methodology, and impact of Modellverksted Skedsmo (Skedsmo Model Workshop), a municipal initiative designed to bridge the gap between abstract planning documents and tangible community engagement. Through the use of physical 3D modeling, digital twin technology, and co-creative workshops, the model workshop redefined how citizens, students, and policymakers interact with urban development projects. Drawing on case studies from the transformation of Skedsmo sentrum, the Rælingsdalen green corridor, and school-based participatory budgeting, this paper argues that model workshops serve as critical infrastructural tools for democratic resilience. The findings suggest that tactile and visual modeling lowers barriers to participation, fosters intergenerational dialogue, and produces more robust planning outcomes. However, challenges related to resource intensity, representativeness, and digital exclusion persist. The model workshop produced a detailed topographical model
Hou, J. (2020). Tactile urbanism: Co-creating city models with communities. Journal of Urban Design , 25(3), 301–318. Forester, J
Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage. (2022). Model workshops as heritage interpretation tools . Riksantikvaren. Photographs of model workshop sessions (available upon request) Appendix B: Standard participant feedback form Appendix C: Technical specifications of the digital twin platform
Lillestrøm kommune. (2025). Evaluering av Modellverksted Skedsmo 2018–2025 . Internal report.
Modellverksted, Skedsmo, participatory planning, urban modeling, co-creation, civic technology 1. Introduction In 2018, the former municipality of Skedsmo—now part of the larger Lillestrøm municipality in Viken county, Norway—launched an experimental initiative known as Modellverksted Skedsmo . Located in a repurposed warehouse near Skedsmo sentrum, the workshop was neither a traditional architect’s office nor a public hearing hall. Instead, it was a hybrid space: part model-building atelier, part digital visualization lab, and part community meeting place.