About the project managers

Klyv Innovation

Klyv Innovasjon is a development and innovation environment based in Oppdal. We work together with businesses, municipalities and knowledge environments to develop new solutions and translate knowledge into practice.

Holiday homes, urban development and tourism are among the areas Klyv has worked on over time. Through a number of development and research projects, we have particularly explored how holiday home development can take greater account of nature and climate, while contributing to local value creation and good local communities.

In ReCabin, Klyv is responsible for the Norwegian part of the project and contributes with project management, development work and collaboration with municipalities, businesses and other stakeholders. The work builds on experiences from previous projects, but at the same time raises the ambition: from reducing the negative consequences of holiday home development to exploring how development can give more back to nature and the places it is a part of.

Mid-Sweden University

Mid Sweden University (MIUN) is a university with campuses in Sundsvall and Östersund where education, research and collaboration meet to shape the society of the future. With a wide range of programs and courses in areas such as technology, natural sciences, humanities, health, media and social sciences, the university educates tens of thousands of students every year — both on campus and via distance learning.

The SOURCE project is anchored at the Department of Natural Sciences, Design and Sustainable Development (NDH). The NDH Institute conducts education and research in several disciplines with a focus on sustainable development, the environment and design. The Institute's interdisciplinary profile makes it possible to combine natural science methods with design and societal perspectives in working with complex societal challenges.

Background to the topic

Why is the cabin so important to us?

Recreational 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 recreational homes has major economic ripple effects in the individual municipality. In many municipalities, recreational home 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, recreational 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 recreational 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 recreational 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 recreational 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 recreational 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.