New Nordic stereotypes:In search of alternative design practices for tourism in peripheral landscapes

• Published in: Journal of Landscape Architecture
• Main Authors: Pasgaard, Jens Christian, Hemmersam, Peter, Nielsen, Tom
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: tourism; tourist gaze; Norwegian Scenic Routes; peripheral regions; /dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/artisticdevelopment/no; name=No; Varanger
• Online Access: https://adk.elsevierpure.com/da/publications/ee3d9d24-aeb1-47c6-838e-eb90cc87b5ce; https://doi.org/10.1080/18626033.2020.1886505; https://adk.elsevierpure.com/ws/files/64634157/Preprint_New_Nordic_Stereotypes_16.01.19_for_JoLa.pdf; https://adk.elsevierpure.com/ws/files/64726105/Accepted_Manuscript_New_Nordic_Stereotypes_JoLA_2020_11_16.pdf

The tourism industry in peripheral Nordic regions responds to tourists’ expectations relating to visual landscape appreciation and the romantic experience of remoteness. This article addresses the lack of synchronisation between the theoretical complexity of the construction of the ‘tourist gaze’, as proposed by John Urry, and the design practices related to tourism in peripheral areas. This topic is approached via a theory-based discussion of the Norwegian Tourist Routes project, a celebrated reference used for general application in peripheral landscapes. In addition, two examples of place creation—Cold Hawaii in western Denmark and Birding Destination Varanger in Arctic Norway—are discussed as design practices that are explorative and problem-solving, emerging from local and landscape-specific activities. The article posits that landscape design practices in tourism projects can embrace a more multifaceted dialogue with the local landscape and stakeholders, departing from conventional romantic approaches. A wave of tourism-related interventions in peripheral Nordic regions engages tourists’ expectations relating to visual landscape appreciation and the romantic experience of remoteness. Exploiting a romantic scenery or staging the most spectacular views is not problematic in itself. However, when this quest for aesthetic experiences translates into stereotypical architectural solutions, spectators potentially remain dissociated from further engaging with local landscapes. This article addresses the lack of synchronization between the increasingly complex construction of the ‘tourist gaze’ and design practices aiming at ‘place-making’ for tourism interventions in peripheral landscapes. The topic is approached via a study of the still-unfolding Norwegian Scenic Routes project, a celebrated reference used for general application. In addition, two examples of activitybased tourism are discussed as alternative design practices in peripheral regions that engage residents, tourists and local landscapes in more ...