Site development
Holiday homes and tourism affect the places they are a part of. They affect nature, climate, local communities, infrastructure and local economies.
The theme of place development is about how holiday home development can contribute to building local communities and natural areas. The goal is to see holiday homes as part of a larger place development.
The concept of regenerative tourism is used in the academic framework. This means that tourism and holiday home development should provide more value to nature and the local community than it takes.
It can be about supporting local businesses. It can be about cleaning up and restoring nature and the local environment. It can also be about strengthening cooperation at the local and regional level.
Holiday home development can be an arena for testing new process and business models. It can contribute to new knowledge. It can also facilitate activities that build up and strengthen the local nature and local communities.
Terms and definitions
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It is about understanding a place as more than an area that can be developed. A place consists of nature, people, resources, culture, business and activities that influence each other over time. Changes in one part of the system affect the other parts.
The approach is based on local knowledge, collaboration, learning and site-specific solutions. Development is based on the site's own resources, tolerance limits and opportunities.
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When a regenerative approach is used in tourism and holiday home development.
The goal is for tourism, visits and holiday homes to give more value to nature and the local community than it takes in. This can involve strengthening local businesses, restoring nature, building meeting places, developing new forms of collaboration and creating activities that provide long-term value for the place.
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The connection between people, communities and nature. Holiday home development must be understood in its local context. Nature, businesses, communities, activities and visitors influence each other over time.
Theme and problem
The core of the theme is how holiday home development can leave more value for nature and society. The goal is not just to reduce negative impacts. The goal is to develop projects, activities and collaborations that strengthen the place over time.
Holiday home development can have negative effects at the local and regional level. Development can lead to degradation of nature, increased greenhouse gas emissions and strain on infrastructure. The development can also have social and economic consequences. Conflicts with primary industries can arise. Conflicts can also arise related to wear and tear and overuse of nature, trails, ski slopes and other infrastructure.
At the same time, tourism is an important industry. It can contribute to jobs, housing, vibrant local communities, and attractive places to live and visit.
The challenge is that holiday home development often lacks holistic approaches. Nature, climate, local communities and the economy need to be seen more in context.
Place development with a regenerative perspective is about strengthening nature and local communities. It requires knowledge of local needs and values. It also requires inclusive processes and business models that build local communities.
The topic can be grouped into three main areas
Nature
Holiday home development is land-intensive. Learn more about the topics of Land Use and Nature-based Solutions ( insert links ).
A regenerative perspective should strengthen local ecosystems and biodiversity. This can be done through activities that protect ecosystems, increase awareness of the connection between people and nature, and influence how nature is used.
Climate and built environment
Holiday homes and infrastructure have a climate footprint. This includes emissions from construction processes, transport and production of materials. It also includes operations, energy use and maintenance of infrastructure. Tourism and leisure activities can also generate emissions. This can be related to snowmaking, maintenance of ski slopes and other activities.
A regenerative perspective emphasizes net-positive development. This involves minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and raising awareness of climate impacts through responsible or alternative activity offerings.
Society
Holiday home development changes local economies. It affects local communities, place identity and the relationship between permanent residents, visitors and part-time residents.
A regenerative perspective emphasizes place development on the premises of the local community. It is based on local needs and values.
It is also about local value creation, new sources of income, inclusive processes and collaboration between actors.