Are we moving in the right direction?

Construction and other physical disturbance can be a threat to valuable cultural monuments, sites and environments. The way areas around monuments and sites are regulated is therefore important. They can for example be classified as zones where special considerations apply under the Planning and Building Act, so that the municipality can regulate activities in the area.

Municipalities can establish zones where special considerations apply to protect and regulate the use of areas that are under threat or are particularly vulnerable. They report to Statistics Norway every year on how much of the area of the municipality is regulated in this way to protect the cultural heritage. In recent years the total area safeguarded has risen considerably.