Private landowners’ relation to land and forest in two Estonian counties

• Main Authors: Jörgensen, Hans, Grubbström, Ann, Stjernström, Olof
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Institutionen för ekonomisk historia 2010
• Subjects: Estonia; restitution; privatisation; land ownership; forest; emotional bonds; economic rationality; Forest Science; Skogsvetenskap; Economic Geography; Ekonomisk geografi; Economic History; Ekonomisk historia; Journal of Northern Studies
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-39692

This comparative study is based on two large surveys of privateland and forest owners in two Estonian counties. While more than half of Põlvamaa is covered with forests, Läänemaa has a potential for summer tourism and second homes. We explore different rationales for obtaining landed property and analyse the individual property holders’ relations to—and use of—landand forests. Based on the two interlinked restitution and privatisation processes from 1991 onwards, our surveys reveal two main rationales among the owners:emotional and economic. The owners’ relations to the property are connected with legacies from both the interwar independence and the Soviet period. In addition, different rationalities, ambitions and attitudes are also related to how the property was obtained. In spite of the demand for land, many resituated landowners have chosen to maintain or recreate family property, even if the property was not actively used. In both Põlvamaa and Läänemaa the emotional bonds to land are strong among the owners of restituted or inherited property, while this is a weaker factor among those who have obtained land or forest through privatisation.