FRAGLA: From Fragmented to Integrated Landscape Management. Values of Green Cultural Heritage and implications for future policies and practises

The project aims to develop new knowledge of management policy and practice to facilitate integration of values and uses of cultural landscape within the local planning and development process. Main research is based on the case study of Austrått, a manorial landscape in Ørland peninsula with particular natural, cultural, historical and military significances. Four issues highlighted in the research are: understanding the ‘biography’ of a landscape; involving local people’s views on value recognition; recognizing values of ‘Green Cultural Heritage’ (i.e. man-made landscapes with heritage values. This will serve as a basis to foster consensus building and integrated management plan) and deliver them into local and regional development plans; planning in an integrated way.

The research has direct benefits to the policy and practice of Austrått and Ørland development by providing new knowledge and working strategy for an integrated management plan. Research findings will also be transferrable to other localities and regions with similar challenges, and will serve as a model for other at-risk Green Cultural Heritages in Norway and in the rest of Europe. 

1)     Understanding the ‘biography’ of a landscape

Austrått today represents mainly a 19th century landscape while the earlier traces are hardly to depict. Based on map analysis, written sources, surveys, LIDAR and garden archeology, we have discovered how the oldest garden layers from the 17thcentury may have evolved. Different axes have connected parts of the larger parkland. In addition the project reveals the location and size of the east and west gardens. 

The project shows that the landscape around Austrått is large and complex. Many elements were unknown. This research provides a new understanding of Austrått (including a 17th-century pyramid, the oldest of its kind in Europe) and contributes significantly to new insight into 17th century parks in Northern Europe. There are not many manioral landscapes left from this period where the landscape is still undisturbed by development. Austrått is unique in a European context. 

The results of this work are published in scientific articles (Kunst og Kultur (published 2017), Die Gartenkunst (published 2018) and Landscape Research (submitted 2018)) and presented in several popular scientific dissemination like radio interviews, newspapers and social media (https://www.facebook.com/Herregårdslandskapet-Austrått-538494469623719/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel).

1)     Recognizing values of ‘Green Cultural Heritage’

This new knowledge has been used to more precisely define the boarder of the remaining Austrått landscape. This was used by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren), county authority (Fylkeskommune) and the local municipality to work out a preservation zone and buffer zone around the manor house. The Austrått landscape has now a recognized status in municipality masterplan (kommuneplan). At the same time Ørland cultural centre works with development of the landscape including facilitating for new (recreational) activities. The knowledge of this research project has a direct impact on the management of an important historical landscape in Norway. The next stage will discuss the values of Austrått perceived by local people and various sectors. The third stage (upcoming 2018) will discuss management models where both cultural and natural values in addition to recreation are included. 

2)     Values of Austrått perceived by various sectors and local people

This project included a series of qualitative research interviews and one workshop. The data collected indicate the conflicting scenarios of heritage conservation and housing/urban development.   

To sum up the findings from interviews: Local people attach many qualities to the landscape of Austrått, for instance the history and beauty of the landscape, its unique character with excellent opportunities for different recreational activities and experiences. For local people the identity of Ørland is closely related to the landscape of Austrått. It is an area they are proud of, although the manor today is a scene with limited access. Some of the interviewees, like farmers, have both a practical and emotional attachment to the site. The elements which constitute their identity with the Austrått landscape is to a large extent connected with the qualities of the landscape, like the pathways, forests, wildlife, the manor, beaches etc. Several people pointed out that Austrått is not only part of the identity of Ørland, but an element in the identity of Norway. Interviewees have two main visions for the future: 1) to protect the natural and cultural heritage qualities of the area and to make Austrått more widely known, meanwhilemaking Austrått a more integrated part of the local community’s life;2) to create more jobs and to encourage housing and commercial developments.

Interviews and workshop results match each other.The results will be presented in the academic article ‘Identity and meaning of Austrått’ (accepted, minor revision, Heritage & Society).