A design proposal rooted in traditional ecological values for a viable future
MA4- Diploma - The Artic University of Norway-UiT
Vega, Helgeland
Project made with Julie Hjelt Wold
-https://juliewold.com/work
Course Leader: Eimear Tynan
Co-teachers: Mari Anton Bergset & Kjerstin Uhre
Type: Revegetation, Cultural Sites, Conflicting Landscapes
Winner of the Northern-Norwegian Design and Architecture Centre’s Terra NODA award for professionalism Spring-2024
The purpose of our project has been to develop a sustainable design proposal that builds a bridge between the preservation of traditions and the development of new, sustainable industries. We wanted to answer the question: How can one safeguard both world heritage status and create economic development in a small community like Vega? This is a problem faced by many local communities along Norway's coast, where migration and globalization challenge the sustainability of the local business structure.
In working with the project, we have placed great emphasis on understanding both the ecological, economic and social aspects of the local community at Vega. Through several field visits, conversations with local farmers, fishermen and other business players, we have gained a broad insight into their wishes and challenges. Many of the inhabitants are proud of the world heritage status, but at the same time there is a clear desire for new jobs and opportunities for the young people, who today often move from the island.
In working with the project, we have placed great emphasis on understanding both the ecological, economic and social aspects of the local community at Vega. Through several field visits, conversations with local farmers, fishermen and other business players, we have gained a broad insight into their wishes and challenges. Many of the inhabitants are proud of the world heritage status, but at the same time there is a clear desire for new jobs and opportunities for the young people, who today often move from the island.
Phase I:
Analysis of the production landscape of Vega
The map shows both modern and traditional use of the landscape on Vega, as well as local restaurant and producer activities. It provides insight into how historical and modern methods are integrated for sustainable development.
1.1 -Natural landscape
The Kelp Forrest
The littoral zone
Smaller algal species found in the littoral zone. The tongs had practical functions for the operation of farm animals. Sheep kelp, Pig kelp and Cow kelp were species that were easily accessible to the animals in the spring because they were often laid dry for large parts of the day. Today, pig seaweed is economically important as a feed supplement for cattle and is used in the material alginate.
The kelp forest
The kelp forest is a nutrient-rich natural type that creates the basis for growth and food areas. The forest grows up to 3 meters high and can exist as deep as 30 meters below water mark. It is mainly big kelp (Laminaria hyperborea), but can also be other species such as sugar kelp (Laminaria saccharum), finger kelp (Laminaria digitata), buta kelp (Alaria esclenta) and draugt kelp (Saccorhiza polyschides). Since 1970, the natural type has been under pressure for grazing by green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). In the three northernmost counties, it is estimated that in excess of 3500 km2, this is about 55% of the kelp forest that has been grazed away. (Gundersen et al. 2018). In Vega municipality, it is considered that 180 km2 of a total of 487 km2 of the kelp population disappeared after 1970. More exposed areas such as Skjærvær and Bemstein have been little affected by the sea urchin. At the end of the 1980s, the trend began to reverse and the population of sea urchins began to decline in Northern Trøndelag and the southern part of Nordland. Today, the situation is described as a mosaic of fields with green sea urchins and kelp forests. (Christie et al., 2014)
- Excerpt from Diplom- Mellom ringer and Holmer-Didrik Hembery
- Excerpt from Diplom- Mellom ringer and Holmer-Didrik Hembery
The Water Column around Vega
The sea around Vega consists of a number of species that have traditionally been important seasonal food. Species can be found throughout the entire water column, from the shallow zone to deep water. The species are seasonal and have different harvest times, some species are also prohibited such as halibut and lobster. Shellfish have traditionally not been such a large part of the Norwegian diet, but there are a number of species that have the potential to function as a food source.
Bird life
Breeding season
Breeding season
Large proportions of birds come to Vegaøyan to nest. The earliest nesters such as herring gulls, terns and eiders mark spring. Of the 54 seabird species found along the Norwegian coast, 24 of them are considered threatened. (Miljødirektoratet, 2024) "The following six species went from near threatened to vulnerable from 2015 to 2021: eider, black duck, yellow-billed tern, barn swallow, tern and Arctic gull (Svalbard list). Teist went in the opposite, positive direction.” (Environment Directorate, 2024).
1.2-Historical practices
The fish farmer
The life of the fish farmer was based on seasons and seasonal fishing. In winter it was lucrative to fish skrei during the Lofoten fishing. Throughout the spring, they traveled towards Finnmark to fish for Cod and Sei. When summer came, the fishermen went home to help with the hay. In autumn, herring fishing was popular. In hunting times, they fished for mackerel sturgeon and filled the Lofoten chest for a new season.
In the sea around Vega, knock fishing was done on the outermost islands, Bremstein, Flæsen and Skjærvær. Collecting shells was also an important industry in the area, mainly O-shells which were used as bait for the line fishermen.
Eggs and "Dunvær"
Dunsanking is a practice that has been carried out for more than 1,000 years. Families have dried seaweed, crushed it and prepared nests for the eiders, and built e-houses from scrap wood and old boats. Then the birds have been looked after during the nesting season, contributing to tranquility and to keeping predators away, where they have collected the down when the bird has left the nest. "Ederduna" is so light and warm, and has an incredible insulating ability. Today there are around 20 bird watchers with recruits who look after the down tradition in eight of the 17 down areas in Vega.
Traditional Agriculture and Farming Practices on Islands
Agriculture on Vega has a long history, today the areas are mainly used for modern agriculture. ”. Helgeland is the region with the largest food production. The relative importance of agriculture is often greater in fringe municipalities with a small population than in many of the most densely populated municipalities. Vega and Vevelstad are the municipalities with the highest value creation from agriculture per inhabitant." (Nordland County Council, 2018).
Surplus land
Due to modern agricultural methods, it has become more difficult to use/move hilly areas. This is mainly due to the accessibility and scale of modern agricultural tools. Areas with steep slopes are often unused. Ideas such as allotment gardens to utilize the overgrown land have started to appear in the local community.
1.3-Conflicting practices
Norwegian Salmon farming
In Norway, approximately 1,220 farming licenses have been granted. These are distributed among 13 producing areas. The Directorate of Fisheries has categorized these zones within a traffic light system to regulate the growth of the farming industry. Green production area means that it can grow capacity by 6 percent. Yellow production area means that no growth of any kind is allowed. Red production area means that the zone must reduce capacity by 6 percent.
Runaways
In 2023, the number of escapes from farms was 16,766 individuals, of which 1,462 were salmon. "When escaping, farmed salmon can be lost in the sea, but they can also swim up a river to spawn. For many, this is designated as the biggest environmental threat, because escaped farmed salmon that spawn together with wild salmon can affect the genes of the wild salmon and thus make it less robust."
(Sustainability in aquaculture, 2024)
Conflict between Unesco and Fishfarming
In 2023, the Industrial and Business Party municipality won the election in Vega, which is quite representative of the conflict that exists today. Vega as a municipality has had varying degrees of displacement ever since the Second World War. There are many reasons for this, but many believe that the lack of jobs is a major contributor to this problem. According to Statistics Norway, there were 2,395 people in Vega municipality in 1951. Today, there are 1,223 people, the central statistical office predicts that this trend will continue and that there will be 1,099 people in 2050. (Statistics central byrå, 2023) In 2004, Vega selected for the UNESCO World Heritage List, the hope was that there would be value creation in the form of tourism, traditional practices and research. There is a decreasing number of people who work in fishing and agriculture in Vega, so there are many who see the salmon industry as a major source of jobs within the municipality. In addition to the profitability of the salmon industry, which can provide work for young people with primary and secondary education (equivalent to 76%) (Statistics Norway, 2023). The World Heritage Center/foundation also wants to work with younger people, but work with traditional practices, preservation and conservation of nature and research.
Both sides of the issue will bet on young people, but the disagreement is created when discussing the impact of the salmon industry on nature and ecology. There are also visual aspects that come into play. Vega municipality has a diversity of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna as well as a long and rich cultural history. World heritage is managed indirectly at a state level, this makes it difficult for the municipality to choose for themselves what they want to focus on. The conflict is described as complex and bureaucratic, it is difficult for outsiders to understand the decision-making process. There is also some frustration among people in Vega that they cannot choose for themselves what is best for their municipality.
Kelp Trawling
Phase II
Polaroids from the future
Exploration of different future prospects through collage.
Fieldwork
Phase III-Design and concept on Gangarøy
Our design proposal for Vega combines traditional cultural heritage with sustainable solutions, by creating a coastal garden that promotes both economic development and ecological balance for future generations.
