| dc.description.abstract | Since the 1990s, Oslo has undergone transformation, and in the last years, there have been concerns about who is accountable for these changes. Usually, local actors are held responsible for this. By interpreting the international in Oslo as ingrained in the urban system, this thesis challenges the notion that external influences ought to be taken into account as well. The aim of this study is to examine Oslo from an International Relations perspective, combining theoretical frameworks, autoethnographic method, popular culture, and empirical research. Using International Relations theory as a guide, an urban lens is created. This urban lens enables readers to shift from a macro to micro perspective. An interpretive approach that incorporates hermeneutics and draws the reader into personal experiences is used to operationalize this thesis. The analysis employs three narratives reflecting on Oslo’s development: the movie “Death at Oslo Central”, personal experiences with the snowboarding and skateboarding subculture, and “The City of Disorder” (Den Skitne Byen), a collaborative project. Despite being primarily local, these narratives also contain international elements. The thesis concludes that there is a need for a comprehensive understanding that considers both local experiences and international influences due to the ontology of the city and the epistemology of urban knowledge are intricately linked with global dynamics, thus, local actors should be aware of the prevailing ideologies contributing to shaping the urban development. | |
