Landsbygdsutveckling i strandnära lägen : En studie av LIS som planeringsverktyg i Norrbotten

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the planning tool LIS, countryside development in areas close to shores has been applied in Norrbotten County. And what problems the municipalities experience in the planning process. Today's regulations for rural development in coastal locations have been criticized in investigations and by politicians for lacking geographical flexibility and that the planning tool isn’t adapted for sparsely populated areas. The study is a case study where the empirical evidence is mainly based on documents and investigations linked to rural development in coastal locations. The analysis has been carried out using broad thematic concepts. To get a greater understanding of how the planning tool is used in Norrbotten, interviews have been conducted with three municipalities with large rural areas. All those interviewed work with or have experience of the planning tool. The study shows that rural development in coastal locations has several problems with the enforcement and interpretation of the regulations. And that the planning tool itself does not contribute to rural development but that it can be seen as part of a larger context. However, two of the municipalities express that LIS is important to their municipalities to be able to offer attractive beach plots. A new report presented in December 2020, which aims to improve current regulations, has been received with some positive caution. The municipalities believe that the presented improvements are a step in the right direction towards a more geographically flexible regulatory framework. But that there are still major shortcomings in the enforcement of the regulations and that the municipalities need to have a greater influence in decisions regarding establishment in rural areas.