Gotlands landsbygd och invånarnas framtidstro : En studie av människors känsla för bygden med sikte på planering

Sammanfattning: This essay examines resident experiences and notions of the Gotland countryside and their ideas about the future. In particular the countryside is studied as both space and place. In space and place people interacting. People are therefore important components in the study of the landscape. One can say that the landscape and the interaction between people affect resident experiences and notions of the countryside, as well as people certainly affect the landscape. From that point of view is the landscape seen as a social construction. Moreover, the study examines the residents’ attitudes to tourism in the countryside, tourists being a group of importance for Gotland’s regional development. The study also identifies reasons behind experiences and attitudes. The study is based on questionnaires and interviews with residents’ and three different groups are studied; the general public, farmers, and public servants, who in one way or another work with regional development. The study shows residents’ positive and negative opinions as well as similarities and differences among the three studied groups. One important finding is that public servants tend to think that other people are more positive towards the future than they really are. Nevertheless, positive and negative perspectives are important to be aware of to understand residents’ situation, likewise to be able to have an influence on people, their attitudes and situations. Eventually, it is clear that sense of place and experience of space affect residents’ ideas about the future and vice versa. Therefore these aspects need to be taken into consideration in physical planning and regional development.