About the project
This website is the result of the SOURCE project, which has been ongoing in the years 2023-2026. The project is a Norwegian-Swedish collaborative project that targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the municipalities in the mountain region of Trøndelag–Jämtland–Härjedalen.
Through collaboration between municipalities, research groups and SMEs, the project has worked on various pilots. Each pilot has attempted to develop concrete examples and new solutions that show how holiday home projects can build up nature, rather than break it down.
The project is part of Interreg , the EU's cross-border regional cooperation programme that promotes social and economic development. The programme finances projects that strengthen cooperation, exchange knowledge and contribute to common solutions – across borders.
The National Park Næringshage and Mid Norway University have been project managers for SOURCE.
About the project managers
National Park Industrial Garden (NNH)
NNH is an established expertise environment in Oppdal with nine employees, who develop and lead processes at the intersection of business, municipalities and research and knowledge environments. They have particularly strong experience in destination development and visitor management, where they combine strategy, analysis and participatory processes to create year-round, attractive and sustainable destinations – from master plans and site development, to visitor strategies for major natural attractions and national park areas.
Within the field of holiday home development, they have built up expertise in green transition and even more nature-positive development over several years. Through the project cycle from "Green Mountain Garden City" and "Competence Boost for Sustainable Leisure Industry", they are working specifically on solutions for nature restoration, nature-based solutions, circular resource use and holiday homes that strengthen local communities and regenerative tourism - in close collaboration with SMEs, municipalities and research environments.
Mid Sweden University (MIUN)
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About the research communities
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)
NINA is an independent foundation that conducts research on nature and the interaction between nature and society. NINA was established in 1988.
NINA's activities include research and assessment, environmental monitoring, consultancy and evaluation. NINA has a wide range of expertise and experience with both natural scientists and social scientists on staff. NINA has knowledge about species, habitats, society's use of nature and the connections with the major driving forces in nature.
Their overall goal is to contribute to sustainable social development by delivering research-based and current knowledge about biodiversity, climate and society.
NINA has contributed its knowledge to the theme "Nature Concern".
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
NTNU is an internationally oriented university with headquarters in Trondheim and campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund. NTNU has a technical and natural science main profile, a number of professional educations and a wide academic breadth that also includes humanities, social sciences, economics, medicine, health sciences, educational sciences, architecture, entrepreneurship, art and artistic activities.
NTNU has five research focus areas: societal security, oceans and coasts, community, energy and health and life sciences. The focus areas are intended to help solve the complex challenges of our time.
NTNU has contributed its knowledge to the theme "Built Environment".
Mid Sweden University (MIUN)
MIUN, or Mid Sweden University, is a state university with campuses in Sundsvall and Östersund. The university was established in 1993 through a merger of the Sundsvall/Härnösand and Östersund university colleges, and was granted university status in 2005. It offers a wide range of programs in technology, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, and is known for its focus on distance learning and flexible study options.
MUIN has contributed its knowledge to the theme "Built Environment".
PIR2
PIR2 was established in 1994. Today, PIR2 has two parallel offices in Oslo and Trondheim. PIR2 has broad expertise in all architectural disciplines and works responsibly and with empathy and commitment with large and small challenges and projects. With a holistic and open approach, they create projects and strategies that will make the world a better place.
We employ dedicated landscape architects, architects, interior designers, landscape urbanists, planners, urbanists, sustainability consultants and process managers.
PIR2 is a partner in the National Knowledge Arena for Reuse in the Construction Industry - a knowledge arena for ambitious players from different parts of the construction industry who want to contribute to a sustainable transformation.
PIR2 has contributed its knowledge to the theme "Society and Tourism".
White Architects Office
White is one of Scandinavia's leading architectural firms. They work with sustainable architecture, design and urban development in an international context for current and future generations. White's mission is to, with the power of architecture, drive the transition to sustainable living.
Based on the global goals for sustainable development, they want to create good living environments within the boundaries of the planet. For decades, they have built the company with many different competencies to be able to take care of the challenges that come with a constantly changing world. In order for society to be able to achieve the established sustainability goals, we must adapt now. No one can drive change alone, but together with customers, users and partners we become strong and can turn the tide towards a more sustainable future.
White has contributed his knowledge to the theme "Nature-based solutions".
Kärnvirke Architecture
Kärnvirke Arkitektur was established in 2020, with a clear starting point in the need for transformation in the construction and real estate sector. The company is built on an ambition to reduce the climate footprint through architecture, and is based on the fact that the construction industry accounts for a significant share of global emissions.
The company works with architecture and design that will promote good, healthy and sustainable built environments. A central focus is conscious use of materials, including the choice of healthy and robust materials, as well as a holistic understanding of the properties and life cycles of materials. Architecture is understood as a means to express and operationalize contemporary values, reflections and needs.
Kärnvirke has contributed its knowledge to the theme "Nature-based solutions".
Background to the topic
Holiday home development is taking up large areas of nature, which has significant consequences for the environment. In Norway, cottage development accounts for about a quarter of all nature degradation. Nature loss has been identified as one of the greatest global risks to society, the economy and biodiversity. Both the EU and the UN set high standards for nature conservation, and it is expected that SMEs and municipalities will also have to adapt to these requirements.
Objectives
By 2030
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%
| Paris Agreement / Climate Agreement with the EU |
Zero net deforestation
| Norway: Government's climate plan |
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 63%
| Sweden: Climate policy framework |
Protect 30% of land and ocean areas globally
| The Nature Convention (COP15, Montreal) |
Restore 30% of degraded nature globally
| The Convention on Nature (COP15) |
By 2050
Norway and Sweden are low-emission societies, 90-95% cut
| National goals |
Global climate neutrality
| Paris Agreement |
Why is the cabin so important to us?
Holiday home development – or cabin construction – has over the past few decades become a clear and extensive feature of land use in Norwegian and Swedish mountain municipalities. The cabin is more than a building; it is closely linked to outdoor life, recreation and the feeling of freedom – and for many represents an alternative living space for peace, togetherness and closeness to nature. In both Norway and Sweden, the cabin has a special position as a cultural phenomenon.
An important economic driver
The development of holiday homes has major economic ripple effects in the individual municipality. In many municipalities, cottage development is considered an important tool for local business development, increased settlement and the maintenance of service offerings.
The challenges of growth
From simple cabins in the countryside, holiday homes have evolved into year-round secondary homes with high comfort and increasing space requirements. These are often built in natural areas with high ecological value, and can lead to loss of biodiversity, fragmentation of habitats and reduced ecological functionality. In addition, the growth of cabins can contribute to social tensions, such as conflicts between permanent residents and holiday residents, pressure on infrastructure and different interests in the use of the landscape.
Increasing demands and new expectations
The development of holiday homes must also be understood in light of the major societal changes we are facing: the natural crisis and the climate crisis. International commitments such as the World Conservation Union and the UN Sustainable Development Goals make it clear that current practices cannot continue without change. Land management must take into account nature's tolerance limits and contribute to the restoration and protection of ecosystems. This requires new tools, criteria and forms of cooperation – both in planning, development and management – and is supported by national instruments such as the Planning and Building Act and the land section of the municipal plan.
From linear to regenerative development
Recabin highlights how holiday home development in mountain areas can take place in ways that not only reduce the burden on nature and society, but can also be a reinforcing positive contribution. However, this is not a recipe or a surefire answer. There are no simple answers to how holiday home development should take place in the future. All solutions must be adapted to the individual location, and require long-term cooperation, local roots, interdisciplinary insight – and not least patience.
Recabin aims to facilitate discussion and learning across disciplines, industries, municipal boundaries and national boundaries. We believe in an interdisciplinary approach to developing future practices for holiday home development. The content will also be relevant to planners, politicians, advisors, developers, cottage associations and other stakeholders who want to understand and influence the development.
Contact
Mid-America University
Email:
Website:
National Park Industrial Garden
E-mail: post@nasjonalparkhagen.no
Website: www.nasjonalparkhagen.no