Arendalsuka 2026 hosts housing and heritage debates in Norway

The annual Arendalsuka festival in Arendal, Norway, runs from 10‑14 August 2026 with more than 2,200 scheduled events. At the "Mesternes hus" venue, sessions cover the Church Heritage Fund’s renovation plans for listed churches, presented by director Oddbjørn Eide, and a discussion on the master‑certificate’s role in a sustainable labour market. A trend report on digital platforms describes their growing influence as a "fifth state power," and the Directorate for Building Quality examines how digitalising planning processes could accelerate new housing construction.

The Norwegian Real Estate Agents Association (NEF) co‑hosts a series of housing‑market panels with Selvaag Bolig, minister Bjørnar Skjæran and other industry leaders. Topics include the housing shortage, the use of AI in the sector, the impact of recent changes to the transfer law, and proposals for more affordable construction. The programme also features debates on the future of rental‑property sales and the broader challenges facing Norway’s housing market.