The planned electrification of the Norwegian oil and natural gas industry caters for unprecedented wind energy and infrastructural development coastal mountain areas. Based on media records, government documents on energy development politics, map analysis of reindeer migration routes, seasonal pastures, and cultural heritage sites in the Nordkinn peninsula/Čorgašnjárga in North Norway, this project touches on major dilemmas in the transition to a carbon emission free society. Analytical diagrams demonstrate understanding and visualize the time-space dynamics of Sami reindeer husbandry as well as the planning and operation timespan of several proposed and operating wind industry projects. In managing landscapes, the municipalities face several conflicting responsibilities in safeguarding Sámi reindeer husbandry, protecting important culture heritage areas, hosting wind energy development, and the upgrading of a weak electric energy grid. Wind power concessions are granted for 25-30 years, due to the endurance of the wind turbines. When the concession period is over, either the wind power plant is renewed for a new concession period, or the areas are supposed to be restored to its “original” state. Discussing the afterlife Kjøllefjord windfarm in reindeer grazing district 9 Olggut Čorgaš/Oarje-Deatnu, this project asks how rehabilitation strategies can incorporate dislocated or lost landscape practices in the design solutions. Inspired from ancient stone works at nearby cultural heritage sites, the project transforms the installation spaces and materials to a series of gardens with pasture plant species that over time reclaim the landscape.
-Description by Kjerstin Uhre
Reindeer grazing during the spring within the walls of the garden.
Analysis of the Seasonal Pastures, Sámi Cultural & Historical sites and Conflicting Green-Energy development:
The electrification of Melkeøya will mean an increase in windpower in Nothern Norway.
According to Norwegian law the wind power plant’s license has a lifetime of 25-30 years, this is
because of the wind turbines limiting lifespan. When the time has passed, the wind power plant
can either be improved or the area can be returned to its original state.
because of the wind turbines limiting lifespan. When the time has passed, the wind power plant
can either be improved or the area can be returned to its original state.
But how do you repair damage to the cultural landscape?
I use Kjøllefjord windfarm as a casestudy to discover ways to interwov
rehabilitation on a cultural and ecological level.
rehabilitation on a cultural and ecological level.
Using long term natural processes as a basis for design. 100 years after the wind turbines are discontinued:
The gardens are strategically placed on landfills used by the cranes during construction, these fills gives the gardens a level foundation.
Diagram showing the reparation process on a human scale:
Site before human intervention
Site used for windpower
First stage of repair (2037)
Second stage of repair (2087)
Final stage of repair (2137)
The site through a 100 year period.
Model-studies
Masterplan:
Different site typologies:
Site 1
Site 4
Site 7
The plants within the gardens can have benifits for both reindeer and humans.
"Flora i reinbeiteland" by Warenberg, Kristina Danell, Öje Gaare, Eldar Nieminen, Mauri Ekendahl, Bengt Bye, Karstein (1997) was a important book when trying to understand the plant choice.
A lot of the plants are important food when the reindeer travel across mountainous terrain but some have medicinal and practical use for humans aswell.
Detailed section showing the structure and its relation to the existing landfill:
Selection of photos from the fieldtrip, Suoluovuopmi-Keautokeino:
