Speaker
Description
In this paper, I consider the dimensions of power and governance in the planning of second homes in the Municipality of Sigdal, Norway. Multiple authors have commented on how neoliberal economic policy has impacted both methodology and outcome in land use planning, where land has been treated as an economic asset rather than as a public good. In Norway, these influences are particularly evident in the rapid growth of second-home construction, which has produced significant planning challenges for local municipalities. This article explores the resultant tensions between the dual mandates of promoting local economic growth and adhering to environmental sustainability, while also examining the power dynamics present in municipal planning processes. These dynamics can shape decision-making, influence which voices are heard, the prioritization of some interests over others, and ultimately affect the balance between development and ecological responsibility. Understanding these power relations is crucial for fostering a more equitable approach to urban and rural planning that considers both economic and environmental factors. Existing research highlights that second-home development has generated a series of tensions and disagreements in Norwegian municipalities, but that the environmental dimensions of these conflicts remain insufficiently explored. In this paper I explore based on qualitative research in Sigdal Municipality, a popular destination for ski tourism located in the mountains of Norway, the intricacies of power relations and how they impact on institutions for governance and the practice of second-home planning. Drawing specifically on Steven Luke’s notion of three-dimensional power, the paper demonstrates the hidden mechanisms of influence, and a process of agenda-setting and non-decision-making often invisible in conventional analyses.
| Keywords | Governance; Planning; Second-Homes; Power, Environmental Sustainability, Norway |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
