The SEFRAK register covers the whole of Norway, and lists buildings dating from before 1900. The register was built up through a nationwide project that started in the 1970s. The Directorate for Cultural Heritage is now responsible for control surveys every five years.
Are we moving in the right direction?
Every year, Norway loses just under one per cent of the buildings on the SEFRAK register. Figures from the control surveys show that 15 755 of the buildings on the register were lost between 2005 and 2010. This corresponds to a loss of 3.7% for the whole period, or an annual loss of 0.74%. However, these figures are likely to be an underestimate, since the loss of a building is not always registered immediately.
The figure shows the results of control surveys of SEFRAK-registered buildings in four selected municipalities, which are reasonably representative of the situation in Norway as a whole. The third control survey of 2382 buildings in the four municipalities (Gjerstad, Fræna, Kautokeino and Nord-Aurdal) was carried out in 2010. It showed that 101 of the buildings were lost between 2005 and 2010. This corresponds to a loss of 4% for the whole period, or an annual loss of 0.8%.
The rate of loss was highest in Gjerstad and Kautokeino, at one per cent. Only one building was lost in Kautokeino, but since no more than 20 buildings in the municipality are SEFRAK-listed, this gives a high percentage loss.
Causes of loss often unknown
For 52% of the buildings lost in the four municipalities, the cause of loss is unknown. Of the remainder, 18% have now been registered as ruins, 21% have been demolished, 4% have burnt down, 3% have been moved, and 2% of the losses are the result of neglect and decay. It is worrying that three buildings in Kautokeino are seriously at risk because of neglect and lack of maintenance.
In Fræna and Gjerstad, the proportion of buildings where alterations have been carried out is considerably higher than in the other two municipalities: 4% of the buildings have undergone such major alterations that their original character has been changed. In Fræna, there have also been less extensive alterations to 15% of the buildings, and ordinary maintenance work has been carried out on 31% of them.
Disuse results in deterioration
The most important risk factor for all types of buildings is disuse or loss of function. If it is difficult to find new functions for buildings, they are likely to deteriorate gradually until they are in such poor structural condition that they cannot be restored, and are ultimately lost.
Change of function may lead to restoration
If new functions can be found for buildings, the result may be restoration and active use once again – for example, if barns and other farm buildings are re-used as holiday homes. The rate of loss is lower for building types that are in active use. However, a change of function may also involve extensive structural alterations to the exterior of a building. Granting permission for a change of function is an important way of safeguarding buildings that are registered in SEFRAK.
Published by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, 11.10.2011, 14:03.