LAND: Cultural heritage as an asset for economic added value; selection processes from a coast - inland perspective

The subject matter for this proposal is how cultural heritage is defined, assessed and activated for economic use, further, addressing such selection processes in a coast/inland perspective. A coast/inland dimension has previously been documented regardin g the uptake of measures towards cultural heritage and landscape maintenance, attitudes towards cultural heritage, and in the objectives of cultural heritage NGOs. Further, a coast/inland dimension is rooted in the different status ascribed to coast and i nland cultural heritage in Norway historically. A case study approach is used, with the inland mountain region of Valdres and the coastal community of Vega selected as study sites. Methods cover analysis of land-use change based on aerial photos; Investig ation of current land use and physical state of cultural heritage; Interviewing key actors (farmers, cultural heritage owners, community associations, tourism entrepreneurs, planners, politicians etc), either individually or in focus groups; Document anal ysis of municipal plans, strategic documents, etc. from key actors; Assessment of other written material in order to convey "storylines" and representations of cultural heritage past and present (e.g. local historic literature, tourist brochures etc). Th e project will be undertaken by a collaborative Norwegian team from three national research institutions: Centre for Rural Research, Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research, and the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute. In addition, interna tional collaborative partners are involved in Austria and Scotland. A multi-disciplinary approach, involving natural science, humanities and social science, will be pursued in all parts of the project. Joint field work will be undertaken, as well as joint analysis, publishing and dissemination.