Karoline Daugstad

Usages of the “cultural landscape” concept in Norwegian and Nordic landscape administration

Abstract This paper summarizes the results of an analysis of differing usages of the concept of “cultural landscape” and related concepts in Norwegian and Nordic government policy and applied research documents. The analysis indicates how inconsistent or unclear use of concepts can hinder interdisciplinary and intersectorial communication. The role of rhetoric, the changing usage of concepts over time and different value loadings for similar concepts are exemplified. Confusion arises partly because previously separate academic discourses, based on separate but overlapping sets of values, have come together in a common discourse promoted by the application of research to government policy. The principal participants in this discourse are agricultural interests, nature conservation interests, cultural heritage interests and local planning interests.

A case of conflicts in conservation: Two trenches or a three-dimensional complexity?

Abstract Conflicts over conservation are often regarded as dichotomies of diametrical opposites. When national parks are established in Norway, two stereotypes can be sketched: (1) the ecocentric position valuing ‘pure, authentic nature’, relying on the national government as the only acceptable decision and management level; and (2) a more anthropocentric position valuing cultural landscape elements and certain traditional and future uses of the area, favouring local management. A conflict over restoring a firing range to a state of ‘authentic nature’ for future designation as a national park is examined. The case has raised comprehensive local debate. It is asked whether the relevant actors should be seen as situated in the stereotypes, or whether a more complex three-dimensional picture would provide a better interpretation.

New Protected Areas in Norway: Local Participation without Gender Equality

Abstract In Norway, as in many other countries, new protected areas are currently being established and managed with strong policy references to “local participation.” Is this policy implemented in a way that incorporates the concern for gender equality? The present article provides data from a study of 2 cases in which new protected areas have recently been established. The first is the Dovre Mountains Conservation Plan ( Verneplan for Dovrefjell), which was adopted in 2002 and includes Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park. In the second case, the focus is on an area which was established in 2004 as the Geiranger-Herdalen Landscape Protected Area (landskapsvernområde). It is argued that one could expect Norway—perhaps more than any other country—to implement local participation in protected area establishment in a way that ensures gender equality. However, the results of the study show that local participation within the context of conservation issues ignores policies and legislation on gender equality. These findings are analyzed and causes for this state of affairs are shown to reside in structural features on the one hand, and the lack of demand for female candidates in local elections and appointments on the other. It is concluded that the main factor explaining this situation is neglect by Norwegian conservation authorities of their responsibility for gender mainstreaming. Efforts to legitimate conservation with reference to local participation are seen as problematical when local women are involved only to a very limited extent.

Harmony or Conflict? A Focus Group Study on Traditional Use and Tourism Development in and around Rondane and Jotunheimen National Parks in Norway

Rural industries in Norway are increasingly being marginalized, and rural populations are decreasing. Rural areas and the mountain landscapes which often characterize them are, however, highly valued for their biodiversity, and for amenity values, which in many cases are associated with national parks and other protected areas. In this context, the present study seeks to explore local stakeholders’ views on issues associated with tourism development in Norwegian national parks – in particular, their personal interests, rural discourses and management planning processes. Four focus group meetings were undertaken in two prominent national parks in Norway, Rondane National Park and Jotunheimen National Park, and with two main user groups: traditional rural user interests and local tourism interests. Findings revealed strong support across all groups for the existence of the two national parks. Both groups in both parks were in favour of some level, and certain types, of tourism within the parks. The local tourism interests, however, felt more strongly than their counterparts that a more extensive tourism strategy was needed to support the local communities. A general frustration with the present management regime was noted among several stakeholders. A key conclusion is that local stakeholders should be significantly involved in future park management processes.

Landscapes of transhumance in Norway and Spain: Farmers' practices, perceptions, and value orientations

The mountain areas of Europe have been of vital importance in the system of summer farming whereby the movement of livestock between different altitudinal levels is a key element. However, summer farming has been downscaled considerably during the 20th century. The article describes two areas where summer farming is still practised: Forollhogna in Norway, and Asturias in Spain. The authors document the transhumance system in the two areas, and investigate how farmers view the summer farming system and landscape, how they relate to nature protection, and whether specific value orientations can be detected in their views. The findings show that the logic behind summer farming is the same in both areas: economic motivation and access to grazing grounds. With regard to nature and landscape protection, the opinion that wild nature is given priority and that ‘managed nature’ of transhumance is overlooked was found in both areas, although it was expressed more strongly in Asturias than in Forollhogna. Opinions and ideals related to ‘good farming’ were found in both contexts, and were reflected in well-kept fields and productive and healthy livestock.

Synergy or marginalisation? Narratives of farming and tourism in Geiranger, western Norway

Tourism is increasingly seen as a necessary income diversification strategy in rural Europe, especially in areas where traditional rural businesses are facing decreasing profitability. This view is clearly expressed in Norwegian government strategies. Measures to support tourism development are launched by public management bodies at national and regional level. For rural agrarian communities the cultural landscape is seen as an asset in developing tourism. The authors study the interplay between farming and tourism in Geiranger in western Norway using narrative and discourse analysis. Since the late 19th century, tourism and farming have co-existed in Geiranger. Recently, the area has also been subject to nature conservation and obtained World Heritage Status. Inspired by political ecology literature, the authors aim to identify and compare the narratives of local actors, and link these narratives to broader environmental discourses.

The Participatory Dimension in Nature Conservation Processes: Examples of Ideology and Practice from Norway

The dominating legal instrument for area-based protection in Norway has been the Nature Conservation Act. Although protection is directed mainly towards species, ecosystems and landforms, area designations in practice affect landscapes. For this reason, lessons may be learnt from investigating recent policy shifts and managerial changes under the Nature Conservation Act, especially related to participatory aspects relevant to the implementation of the European Landscape Convention. The present chapter provides a schematic view of current approaches to and shifting paradigms in nature conservation on an international Open image in new window level, with particular focus on participatory approaches. This is followed by the presentation of findings from recent research into the issue of management systems and models related to designated nature conservation areas in Norway. The last part of the paper positions the findings in relation to the European Landscape Convention.

National parks policy and planning: a comparative analysis of friluftsliv (Norway) and the dual mandate (New Zealand)

ABSTRACT Conservation management in Norway is anchored in the historical tradition of friluftsliv although Norways evolving economic policy signals that growing priority is being given to recreation and nature-based tourism development in association with protected natural areas (PNAs). Here we present the results of an international comparative study that examined conservation policy and recreation/tourism management in Norway and New Zealand, where a legislated dual mandate of conservation and tourism in PNAs is longstanding. Our analysis of conservation policy and planning documents in Norway and New Zealand highlights important contrasts in conservation and recreation/tourism management that are deeply embedded in national socio-historical contexts. Our findings highlight lessons that may be learned and applied in Norway. However we also caution that the application of lessons from New Zealands ‘utilitarian conservation’ policy context may require a reformulation or refinement of the friluftsliv tradition.

Mimisbrunnr Climate Park – a network for heritage learning, tourism development, and climate consciousness

Increased ice melting revealed in 2006–2007 many reminiscences of ancient human activity around ice patches near Mt Galdhøpiggen, Norways highest mountain peak. The public limited company “Klimapark 2469 AS” was established to develop a heritage interpretation product and to study climate change. A 60-metre long ice tunnel is excavated in the ice patch Juvfonna, where guided walks and a display presenting climate change, archeology, Norse mythology, and glaciology are offered. The heritage product, “Mimisbrunnr Climate Park 2469” (MK2469), is based on collaboration between scientific institutions, public authorities, the National Mountain Museum, and private tourist companies. The ambition is to combine science, environmental learning, interpretation, heritage tourism, and local development. Based on interviews and relevant documents, we have studied the network – the actors, their ambitions, and networking processes: What are the perceived opportunities, challenges, outcomes, and success factors? Good strategic work has resulted in extensive public funding and sponsorship, and MK2469 has become a diverse, quality heritage product, but so far with little commercial success. An important outcome is the fruitful exchange of experiences, between public and private partners, tourism and science interests, amateurs and professionals, and between local, regional and national actors. The network has shown to be quite dynamic.

Ren idyll? Forbrukets betydning for bygdeutvikling med utgangspunkt i lokal mat og hytteliv

Vittersø, Gunnar. 2012. Ren idyll? Forbrukets betydning for bygdeutvikling med utgangspunkt i lokal mat og hytteliv. Avhandling levert for graden philosophiae doctor (ph.d.). Doktoravhandlinger forsvart ved Det samfunnsvitenskapelige fakultet, Universitet i Oslo: No. 327. Institutt for sosiologi og samfunnsgeografi, Det samfunnsvitenskapelige fakultet, Universitetet i Oslo. 257 s. ISSN 1504-3991.