Stavanger kommune

Introduction
This is not a history book, nor is it a catalogue for those with
a special interest in culture, architecture and town planning.
It is a short introduction into how the city has become what
we see today and what it may become in the future.
Many members of the Department of Culture and Urban Development,
and some from other departments in the Stavanger
Municipality, have contributed text and illustrations. Together,
we have made a short presentation of examples from
the city’s physical development and plans for the future. The
examples can be an expression of an era, a mood or a stage
in the continuous development of the city. They may be symbols,
places which have become part of Stavanger’s identity.
In this way we hope to show some of what we feel is special
about Stavanger, both old and new.
The first edition of this book was one of the Department of
Culture and Urban Development’s contributions to Stavanger
as European Capital of Culture 2008 (“Stavanger 2008”). We
hope this translation will be useful and enjoyable for visitors
to the city.
Per Jarle Solheim has written several of the chapters and developed
the manuscript. Egil Bjørøen has been responsible
Vågen seen from Valberget 2008
4