Second-home tourism is a complex phenomenon shaped by various socio-economic structures and local contexts. Legislating these destinations proves challenging, as most prioritise a growth-oriented approach over a socially sustainable one, affecting both residents and second-home owners. Despite its significance, second-home tourism remains largely overlooked in policy and planning. Hence, this study explores how the two communities of & Oslash;yer and Tinn in Norway are socially impacted by second-home tourism, and how public stakeholders address these impacts. Through cross-case analysis, the study examined the challenges local and regional authorities face in governing second homes and their effects on these communities. Empirical data includes in-depth interviews, action research participation in southeast Norway, and document analysis. The findings reveal that second-home tourism presents a growing strain on residents, presenting a disconnect between growth-oriented tourism approaches and community needs. Governance approaches significantly shape the trajectory of second-home destinations, often hindering socially sustainable development. The study highlights the need for stronger institutional capacity, contextual sensitivity, and resident inclusion to align second-home tourism with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Errors in thematically detailed land-cover maps have large consequences for downstream applications. Moreover, simulation-based studies suggest that land-cover classifiers are sensitive to errors in reference data. We (1) quantified the expected error from field interpretation of land-cover types; (2) the sensitivity of classifiers to reference data errors; and (3) the error transferred from reference data to classifiers. Lastly, we (4) recommended strategies to reduce errors. The study area was mapped by 12 field interpreters divided into three equal-sized experience-level groups. The field-based land-cover maps were aggregated to three thematic resolutions and used to train 6804 land-cover classifiers by varying inputs, algorithm, and hyperparameter values. Separately from the first field campaign, four field interpreters classified validation data points, which were used to quantify error for each field interpreter and land-cover classifier, as the proportion of incorrectly classified validation points. We observed (1) generally high and varying levels of interpreter error; (2) a strong relationship between interpreter and classifier error; and (3) a net positive transfer of errors from reference data to classifiers. Because classifier error seems largely driven by interpreter error at the levels commonly observed in thematically detailed land-cover mapping, we (4) recommend strategies to reduce interpreter error before modelling.
The concept of "prefigurative politics" invites geographers to envision transformative change through a shift in practices stemming from a micro level. This article examines and substantiates how this idea is mobilised in relation to current sustainability transformations. A large interdisciplinary group of geographers and transition scholars present topic clusters of prefigurative enablers that instigate and catalyse the enactment of transformative policymaking towards sustainable futures. Drawing on dozens of rich and diverse examples to illustrate cases of transformation, we provide a conceptual perspective to advance the theoretical discussion about triggers and processes of transformative change amongst geographers. We argue for three principles for examining the prefigurative politics of present transformation: (a) multi-scalarity, to consider prefigurative politics across personal-systemic spheres; (b) boundary transgression, to span interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary as well as inward- and outward-looking prefigurative politics; and (c) temporalities, to address institutionalisation and change processes that play out along short and long timelines. Approaching present transformations through a prefigurative politics lens helps identify scope for action that aligns with transformative change. We argue for wider deployment of these principles, to synthesise scholarship, channel micro-level prefigurative political efforts into systemic transformative change, and guide future research and policymaking towards sustainability transformations.
Land-use planning is a major tool for deciding on development and nature protection. Based on field visits and in-depth interviews with key actors, we investigate how nature concerns are handled in planning for second homes in three Norwegian municipalities. Our analytical focus is on the power play between key actors involved in local planning, addressing power by design of formal rules, pragmatic power in the "rules of the game" from a multilevel governance perspective, and power of discourses framing the planning narratives. We find that nature concerns are weak regardless of legal requirements. Extensive loss of nature areas is not framed as a problem, and few local actors promote nature concerns. Strong emphasis on local self-government in the planning system leads to a weak role of environmental authorities at the regional level. We identify a dominant planning discourse on local economic development through second-home constructions, promoted by developers and landowners.
Under annen verdenskrig hadde befolkningen et stort informasjonsbehov om krigens gang ute i verden. Mediene rapporterte daglig om kamper, ofte p & aring; sm & aring; og fjerne steder som ikke fantes p & aring; vanlige kart. Dette skapte et nytt marked for spesialtegnede aktualitetskart, som ble solgt i store mengder under hele krigen. Denne artikkelen unders & oslash;ker disse & laquo;krigskartene & raquo; b & aring;de som kartsjanger og som forbruksvare, og konkluderer med at markedet for geografisk informasjon i Norge under krigen var stort, i stadig endring, og l & aring; til grunn for en ny type kart med annet innhold enn tidligere. Artikkelen sammenligner ogs & aring; fenomenet med tilsvarende forhold i USA i samme periode, og konkluderer med at i motsetning til i USA skapte de norske krigskartene ingen varig endret kartografisk tradisjon, men forble et typisk erstatningsprodukt fra okkupasjonen.
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are formulated as global goals, but their realisation depends on actions taken at national, regional, and local levels. The article examines how the Norwegian government has framed the SDGs as a responsibility of local governments in its national response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN member states in 2015. The authors combine analysis of governmental policies from the period 2015-2022 with interviews with national actors to argue that framing the scale of implementation is a powerful tool for governments and other actors to define problems, solutions, and responsibilities. The SDGs were reframed from global goals to a local responsibility, which positioned municipalities as key actors in Norway while reducing the need for national-level action. The main finding is that scale framing served as a strategic tool to delegate responsibility while avoiding systemic national reforms. The authors argue that such a framing is insufficient to address the broader structural changes needed to fulfil the 2030 Agenda. They conclude that while local framing aligns with the international localisation discourse, it risks undermining the transformative ambition of the 2030 Agenda by excluding challenges that require national coordination and cross-sectoral policy.
Multi-local living, which encompasses work, study, leisure, and family relationships, represents a lifestyle whereby individuals move between and reside in multiple locations. It has become increasingly common in Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and the UK, driven by individualized lifestyles and changes in work habits facilitated by digital infrastructure and transport solutions. Despite its growing popularity, the impacts of multi-local living on municipal finances remain under-researched. The purpose of the article is to address that gap based on a statistical analysis of municipal financial statements to assess the significance of multi-locality on municipal finances. Understanding these impacts is crucial for addressing the challenges and development needs arising from increasing human mobility. Rural municipalities with long-standing structural problems and selective migration may be particularly vulnerable to the burdens of multi-local living. The results show that although multi-locality is not officially considered in municipal financing, it does not significantly weaken municipal finances. In conclusion, in Finland, municipalities with multi-local residents receive property tax revenue, which significantly offsets the costs associated with multi-locality.
Tree planting has the potential to reduce the effect of agricultural runoff and stop biodiversity decline in agricultural landscapes. The aim of the article is to improve the understandings of individual landowners' decision making regarding participation in riparian tree-planting projects. Walking interviews and the theory of planned behaviour (TBP) were used to investigate a project in Norway. It was found that the informants differed in their views on the consequences of tree planting and the problem of agricultural runoff, which affected their attitudes towards the project. Some focused on the local effects on their farming operations and favoured other interventions. The informants had different farming motivations, which affected their priorities between economic gains, food production, and the environmental value of riparian woodland. In conclusion, landowners' motivations and perceptions vary, and project managers should take this into account. While ecological engineering may appeal to practically oriented farmers, education and pilot projects could help to shift perceptions, and community-wide engagement could enhance the effect of norms. The authors suggest that future TPB studies of landowners and riparian tree planting should include problem understanding, social identity, and farming motivation as additional factors, and consider potential overlaps between perceived consequences and perceived behavioural control.
Although responsible for adapting society to climate change, most municipalities in Norway lack systems for monitoring and evaluating their climate change adaptation (CCA) efforts, which may hamper improvements to and effective CCA. The article assesses adaptation progress in municipalities in Western Norway by developing and applying a first-step co-produced framework for monitoring CCA in land-use planning. The framework was developed throughout two workshops between us (the researchers) and planners, showing how acute and slow climate risks are responded to following the logic of municipal land-use policy: assessment, regulation, and implementation. The framework was tested on a collection of municipal land-use plans, policy documents, and risk and vulnerability assessments related to climate risks. Semi-structured interviews with the participating planners supported the document analysis. The results were evaluated in meetings between us and municipal stakeholders. The authors found that while all municipalities assessed climate risks, there were large differences in the extent to which municipalities implement regulations and especially physical measures to mitigate these risks. They conclude that collaboratively examining how CCA could be monitored ensures that the co-produced framework is meaningful for the end user and can serve as a starting point for more comprehensive CCA monitoring and evaluation.
Education is crucial to the global effort in addressing issues related to climate change; it is thereby important to evaluate the effectiveness of its teaching. The article aims at identifying the factors influencing the efficacy of the teaching of climate change concepts in Senegalese secondary schools. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the determinant factors. The findings of the logistic regression model showed that the frequency of teaching about climate change, the teachers' experiences, the comprehensive geography curriculum, the teachers' knowledge of climate change, and teaching and learning about climate change resources positively and significantly influence the effectiveness of teaching about climate change concepts. The authors recommend that climate change content should be explicitly integrated into all topics from lower to upper secondary level across all grades. It also recommends that teachers both at in-service and pre-service levels should be thoroughly trained in climate change education, helped to improve their self-efficacy in climate change education, and be provided with the required resources to achieve effective teaching of the multidimensional aspects of climate change.
The study focuses on ecosystem services, historical aspects, and natural diversity. Specifically, it assesses possible proxies for investigating a set of cultural ecosystem services from the Norwegian agricultural landscape. Agricultural areas on the Norwegian land cover map surrounded by a 100 m wide buffer zone were analyzed for recorded historical buildings, cultural heritage sites, red-listed vascular plant species (defined as being at varying degrees at risk of extinction), and red-listed nature types (defined as endangered or vulnerable). The results indicate significant contributions from agricultural landscapes with respect to historical buildings, cultural heritage sites, and red-listed plant species. Regarding red-listed nature types, the contributions were diverse. The ecosystem proxies investigated showed increasing distribution trends with increasing proportions of agricultural landscapes in the spatial units, with a sharp increase with smaller area sizes. However, for cultural heritage sites the trend was different when the proportion of the agricultural landscape was below 25%; it showed a very slow increase. In conclusion, the study highlights the agricultural landscape's diverse contributions to the investigated ecosystem services in Norway, prompting the need for further research on additional ecosystem services to ensure the continued delivery of environmental and social well-being.
The article investigates the role of local agency in the foundational sector of waste management in a peripheral context. By drawing on the explicit role of time as a dimension of agentic orientation and the trinity of change approach, the authors highlight how local key actors overcome challenges in promoting innovation in the waste management sector. They identify three main types of agentic strategies for local actors. The first type is enablers of innovative strategies directed towards the future, the second type is stabilising strategies focusing on the present, and the third type is latecomer strategies, with a strong reliance on models and activities that used to work in the past. These time and space-sensitive types of local agency vary in terms of constraining or enabling local agency development. The identification of local strategies has policy implications because it creates opportunities for different futures for local agency. The authors conclude that integrating the willingness to take risks from frontrunner firms can contribute to considering waste as a resource. The theoretical argument is illustrated through the empirical context of the waste management sector and the stakeholder community in Northern Norway.
Most of India's small and medium-sized urban areas are challenged by the absence of utility facilities and their unequal distribution. The inequality study focuses on the spatial pattern of urban utility distribution in Hooghly-Chinsurah Municipality and its citizens' opinions. Accordingly, wards are considered distinctive spatial units delimited and recognized by the municipal authority for administrative purposes. Therefore, an urban utility index using ward-level data for utilities collected from the field and municipal offices was applied. Additionally, the mean spacing of the urban utilities and road density were computed. Hotspots, coldspots, and mean centre of development assisted in concentric proximity analysis. The results of the analysis revealed that wards located in the south-eastern part and having older settlements are relatively more developed. Moreover, the results revealed wide spatial inequalities that could be addressed through the upgrading and expansion of planned developmental initiatives. For that, equitable participation of stakeholders and spatio-temporal modification of developmental plans is a prerequisite. The author concludes that although infrastructural planning is subject to political and financial discretion, the findings suggest the need to adopt a new urban development policy for the distribution of essential utilities.
Many European Union countries face a significant challenge: rural residents are migrating to cities, causing a growing socio-economic lag in shrinking rural areas. Various regional political measures and supportive place marketing have been employed to counteract this trend. The purpose of the article is to study the possibilities and challenges of migration-targeted rural place marketing in Estonia; this is done through qualitative methods. Drawing on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the authors argue that rural place marketing aimed at supporting counter-urbanization is often ineffective. The main findings are that strategic choices of marketing and difficulties in implementing adequate follow-up measures are often among critical reasons for this ineffectiveness. The authors conclude that local authorities should pay more attention to specific community-based target groups, such as life-style migrants, who are more likely to adapt to rural traditional communities and contribute effectively to the social and economic development of rural areas.
I geografiundervisningens tidlige fase i skolene p & aring; slutten av 1800-tallet og begynnelsen av 1900-tallet var det & aring; tegne av kart sentralt. Denne artikkelen viser to forskjellige metoder for & aring; tegne av kart slik det ble gjort av l ae rebokforfatterne Horn og Arstal. Dette var utgangspunkt for en debatt i tidsskriftet Universitets- og skoleannaler mellom disse to om hva som var den beste metoden. Horn hadde utviklet en metode basert p & aring; ruter, mens Arstal sin metode var basert p & aring; en skisse med p & aring;tegna lengde- og breddegrader. Artikkelen tar ogs & aring; opp hvorfor slike metoder med tiden ble mindre interessante i geografididaktisk sammenheng, men sp & oslash;r likevel om hva vi kan l ae re av disse metodene. Artikkelen er et bidrag til & aring; belyse forskingsfeltene b & aring;de i geografididaktikk og faghistorie i geografi og i kartografi, og bygger metodisk p & aring; en tekstanalyse i form av id & eacute;analyse.
The Amhara Region, Ethiopia, has experienced conflict since 2016. The protests, which began in 2016, demanding the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF)-led government to end institutionalised marginalisation and integrate the Amhara into the state structure, have engulfed the region. Following political reform in 2018 that removed the TPLF from the coalition government, the TPLF declared war against its successor, the Prosperity Party and consequently on the Amhara, in an attempt to regain power. This has greatly affected the tourism sector in Amhara. The purpose of the article is to analyse how conflict reduces tourist influx and income from tourism, and how this impacts the socio-economic lives in the region. The analysis is based on data collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and archival reviews. It has been theorised that conflict leads to a decrease in tourist influx and income from tourism, which in turn, leads people to experience livelihood and emotional crises. While this is the case, the conflict-induced decrease in tourist influx and income from tourism also results in downward social mobility and family disputes. Additionally, the conflict-induced dip results in intragroup dissonance. The author concludes that the correlation between conflict and tourism is complex and requires contextual analysis.
