Beyond Conflicts: Understanding Challenges and Opportunities in the Swedish Mountain Landscapes

The Challenge
Conflicts of interest between various actors and institutions can negatively influence both the development and management of the Swedish Highland region. Such conflicts also influence the specific goals set out in the environmental objective, “A Magnificent Mountain Landscape”, which are designed to preserve the social and ecological integrity of the region. Government agencies, organisations, associations and businesses are all calling for more research into the prevention and reduction of land use and related resource conflicts.

Objectives
The project will identify and analyse the perspective the key Swedish actors representing different interests in the use of resources. The study gives special attention to key actor perceptions of the challenges and opportunities for reducing, resolving, or preventing conflicts over planning, management and the use of the highland area in the region of Jämtland. This study focuses on three issues with long histories of conflict in the Jämtland highlands: (1) natural protected areas, (2) perception and management of noise and soundscape and (3) the impact of wind power development.

Benefits
The three case studies in the project will provide new perspectives on the causes of recreational use conflicts and the potential to move beyond them. In particular, the results will be valuable to politicians, managers and planners. Ultimately, moving beyond conflict requires better knowledge about the sources of conflict, associated institutional dynamics, and points of consensus that can serve as the foundation for future action.