Successful use of participatory tools in the land use planning in the Arctic region
Expanding global demand for energy and minerals together with growing tourism and wood for industry have increasingly created land use pressures and disputes in the Arctic region. This is especially the case when the new land use forms meet the traditional livelihoods, reindeer herding and forestry, easily leading to confrontations. Tools based on Public Participation Geographical Information Systems (PPGIS) may enable coordination of various aims and interests in land use and prevent conflicts.
Map-based tool for interaction
We applied the PPGIS tool in an EU-funded project, ArcticHubs. The tool was developed more interactive together with Mapita Oy (a software company), municipalities and other organisations, who need and exploit land use information. With the help of the PPGIS tool citizens were able to describe their wishes and concerns related to land use and point out places requiring better coordination of the land use. It was also possible to pay special attention for safeguarding natural and recreational values.
Furthermore, we addressed opportunities and threads in the region and its livelihoods in the coming decades through scenario-work. For example, in Inari the PPGIS pointed out areas dedicated tourism and areas, where building infrastructure for tourism should be avoided.
Participation enables coordination of different interests in a just manner
A better coordination between different land use interest based on participatory mapping may foresee needs and prevent conflicts.
“Managing and resolving conflicts is essential condition for finding just solutions benefitting the whole society”, Research Professor Seija Tuulentie summarizes.
PPGIS information enables extending participation among a broader group of citizens in the spirit of the Land Use and Building Act. The potential of PPGIS in pointing out essential land use topics was reveald by ArcticHubs -project. The results of the project are well received by for example in Malå (Sweden) related to forestry and in Inari (Finland) related to tourism.
Co-design of research and co-production of knowledge with the local residents and representatives of the indigenous people has gained attention in the Roadmap to decolonial Arctic Research -raport (EU-Roadmap_web version.pdf), where ArcticHubs was mentioned as a good example of collaboration with indigenous people.
