Increased tourism in the Arctic calls for more knowledge to meet management challenges. This paper reviews existing knowledge of the effects of human use on vegetation, fauna and cultural heritage in Svalbard, and it addresses the need for site-specific knowledge for improved management. This paper draws upon scientific studies, knowledge held by management authorities and local people, the Governor's database on visitors and visited sites and our own data from landing sites we visited. There is a certain level of basic knowledge available, allowing us to roughly grade the vulnerability of sites. However, there is a thorough lack of site-specific data related to the management of single locations or groups of similar locations. Future research needs to address specific on-site challenges in the management of visitor sites. Relevant management models and measures are discussed. We contend that a shift away from a blanket application of the precautionary principle and towards a more integrated, site-specific and evidence-based management plan will contribute to more trusted and reliable, and thereby acceptable among stakeholders, decisions in the management of growing tourism activity in Svalbard
The paper draws from the general literature on energy efficiency and historic buildings to explain the importance and potential of user-driven energy efficiency in historic buildings. It is the first review that places the user as a central object of study in the research field of historic buildings and energy Highlights:• State of the art review on user-driven energy efficiency in historic buildings.• Non-intrusive energy efficiency measures have significant impact and potential.• Integrated bottom-up refurbishment processes will provide for better management.
Hiorthhamn is an abandoned Norwegian coal mining settlement with a loading dock and a lot of industrial infrastructure left in the coastal zone. In this study, changes in the position of 1.3 km of the Hiorthhamn shoreline, which affect cultural heritage, is described for a time-period spanning 92 years . The shoreline positions were established based on a map (1927), orthophotos (2009) and a topographic survey with differential Global Positioning System (GPS) (summer 2019). Detailed geomorphological and surface sediment mapping was conducted to form a framework for understanding shoreline-landscape interaction. The shoreline was divided into three sectors to calculate the erosion/stability/accretion rates by using the DSAS (Digital Shoreline Analysis System) extension of ArcGIS. The DSAS analysis showed very high erosion in Sector 1, while Sectors 2 and 3 showed moderate accretion and moderate erosion, respectively. Sector 1 is geologically composed of easily erodible sorted beach sediments and protected remains from the mining industry such as wrecks of heavy machines, loading carts, wagons and rusty tracks that are directly exposed to coastal erosion. The all-sector average shoreline erosion rate (EPR parameter) for the 92 years period was −0.21 m/year. The high shoreline erosion rates in Sector 1, together with the high potential damage to cultural heritage, supports the urgent need of continued coastal monitoring and sustainable management of cultural heritage in Hiorthhamn.Sustainability 2020, 12, 2306 2 of 21 losses in the future. Arctic coastal areas can experience erosion rates similar to, or higher than, those in temperate regions due to the added influence of thawing permafrost and extreme temperatures.Coastal areas located at high latitudes are even more affected by the changes in the environment (e.g., air temperatures, major river discharges and open water season length have increased, and storm tracks and intensities are changing) [6]. The Arctic coastal zone is defined as the region both seaward and landward of the coastlines of the Arctic shelf areas, including all archipelagos and islands [7]. Arctic coastal areas can experience erosion rates similar to or higher than those in temperate regions due to the added influence of thawing permafrost and extreme temperatures, even though the erosional processes are usually still limited to a few months per year [6]. Arctic areas have become important hot spots for studying the effects of a changing climate [8], which is felt earlier there than elsewhere on Earth [9]. The present ongoing research focuses on modelling the velocity of glaciers and ice caps [10], land cover and ice-wedge polygon mapping [11,12], the surface morphology of fans [13], retrogressive thaw slumps triggering [14,15], coastal erosion [16], human impact [17], etc. One of the most exposed Arctic areas is Svalbard, which is experiencing amplified climate change when compared to the global average [18,19]. Svalbard's coastal area is under high pressure from natural [20] and in some area...
This paper emphasises on degradation of wood in cultural heritage structures at Svalbard. Nowhere else does global heating occur faster. Negative impacts of climate change will increase the strain on wooden structures and can daily be observed at Svalbard. The severe changes affect the degradation rate of wooden constructions, including cultural heritage. Certain microclimates, also in Polar areas, are favourable to fungal growth and decay. The probable enhancing effects climate change have on fungal degradation in wooden structures are however alarming. The paper displays findings of measurements from four different case study projects at Svalbard between 2009 and 2019. The results have been analysed separately, compiled and discussed in context, and towards relevant literature. We claim that impacts of climate change may not be generalized in order to predict effects in building materials. Further, that with extended knowledge on how climate change affects natural development of fungal decay, negative impacts may be reduced. Lessons learned from high Arctic areas might add longevity and sustainability to wooden cultural heritage constructions, also in different areas and environments. The paper is part of two of the authors' PhD work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
In line with the Paris Agreement, Norway aims for an up to 55% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to be a low-emission society by 2050. Given that 85–90% of today’s buildings are expected to still be in use in 2050, refurbishment and adaptive reuse of existing buildings can help in achieving the environmental goals. The aim of this work is to provide a holistic picture of refurbishment and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, including buildings with heritage values, seen from a life cycle perspective. The methods applied are a literature review of LCA studies and experiences from quantitative case study analysis of selected Norwegian case studies. The findings show that extending the service life of existing buildings by refurbishment and adaptive reuse has significant possibilities in reducing GHG emissions, keeping cultural heritage values, and saving scarce raw material resources. The findings show limited LCA studies, uncertainties in existing LCA studies due to variations in case-specific refurbishment or intervention measures, and a lack of transparent and harmonized background data and methodological choices. In conclusion, performing a holistic study covering the whole LCA and including socio-cultural values and economic aspects will enable supporting an argument to assert the sustainability of existing buildings.
The identification and preservation of cultural landscapes worthy of protection is a challenging task, as their significance is often not immediately apparent. Analyzing the process through which a site or landscape became a heritage site and understanding the historical context and the factors that contributed to its designation allows making informed decisions on the management and preservation of the site. To provide research-based knowledge, this paper aims to analyze the transformation of the degraded remains of the North Pole expedition bases of Andrée and Wellman in Virgohamna, Svalbard, into a protected historic landscape and the subsequent emergence of the site as a current popular tourist destination. Virgohamna serves as an illustrative case for examining the heritagization process of cultural heritage sites in Svalbard. This article adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing upon case studies, mapping and categorizing the historic and current landscape, the condition and vulnerability assessment of historic remains, behavior studies on visiting tourists and guides on-site, expert interviews, and document studies. The findings highlight the complex processes that have influenced the making of the cultural heritage landscape in Virgohamna, the enduring narrative associated with the site, and the need for continued efforts to ensure the preservation and dissemination of its historical significance. Analyzing the process through which Virgohamna has become a heritage site and understanding the historical context and the factors that have contributed to its designation as a heritage site has the potential to enhance comprehension regarding historical importance and heritage values. Furthermore, it might facilitate engaging stakeholders and formulating management approaches and provide insights for policy suggestions. The comprehensive examination serves as a foundation for responsible and sustainable heritage management, ensuring the preservation and promotion of Virgohamna’s cultural heritage for present and future generations.
Purpose This paper aims to analyze climate resilience and adaptation of cultural heritage buildings from the perspectives of both public authorities and residents. From a user-oriented domestication perspective, it investigates what barriers the residents meet when trying to make their homes more sustainable and resilient to climate impacts. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on a qualitative case study: an apartment building from 1890 in an area with protected heritage buildings in Oslo, Norway. The building is in need of renovation to withstand the impacts of climate strain. Expert interviews with public authorities, and interviews/focus groups with residents in the case study, form the empirical basis of the results. Findings The findings reveal that the residents find the public authorities’ sustainability measures confusing and lack information on what to do. The residents have domesticated an environmentally friendly lifestyle, but they are not very concerned about the cultural heritage status of their building. On the contrary, the protection clause is experienced as a barrier against renovation, and the windows are a special concern. Practical implications Better cooperation between actors representing public authorities could result in easier access to information and less confusing advices for sustainability in cultural heritage buildings. Originality/value This paper gives new insights on how information from public authorities is perceived by residents, and thus indicates how policy measures for cultural heritage and sustainability should be communicated to achieve public understanding.
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