Svenner lighthouse in Vestfold. The lighthouse is included in the National Lighthouse Preservation Plan. Photo: Danckert Monrad-Kroh, Directorate for Cultural Heritage

The concept of coastal culture is broad. It covers much more than the sphere of responsibility of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage and other cultural heritage protection agencies, which is to preserve monuments and sites along the coast. The directorate has found it necessary to restrict its definition of coastal culture and provide a clear framework for its activities. This project was, therefore, limited to the monuments and sites that are connected with everyday life and activities along the coast. In addition to the fact that few of these are protected, they are also most vulnerable to changes or deterioration. Monuments and sites connected with activities along the coast are poorly represented on the list of protected buildings and installations.  

In the 1920s and 30s, when a large number of monuments and sites were protected, the criterion used for determining whether a monument or site was to be protected was primarily its historical or architectural value. Log buildings in inland areas and monumental buildings in towns and rural areas were considered valuable. Today a historical viewpoint, i.e. social or industrial history, is given as much consideration as architectural qualities in determining which buildings are to be protected. In addition, it is regarded as important to preserve entire environments and their functional contexts.

For the purposes of this project, the coast was divided into physical-geographical regions in order to have smaller and more practical units to work with, and to gain an overview of the variations in the landscape, activities that have taken place, and cultural monuments and cultural environments along the coast. Norway's coast and coastal waters were divided into six main regions, each of which was further divided into two to five sub-regions, giving a total of 16 regions.

Landscape

The sea, as a resource and a transport and communication route, is the primary element that differentiates inland and coastal landscapes. However, although the sea is the common factor linking all coastal areas, the landscape is extremely diversified, and has given rise to many types of cultural environments. The division into regions brings the great variety of coastal landscapes into sharper focus. 

Activities

People have gained their livelihoods through various combinations of primary industry, which have been adapted to varying natural conditions along the coast. Most of these combinations were based on agriculture and livestock husbandry, which were supplemented with seasonal work in other primary industries, such as fishing, freight transport, shipping and various types of crafts. The national and international shipping trade plays a major role in coastal culture.

Cultural monuments and cultural environments

In western and northern Norway, coastal areas were generally treeless. This is reflected in building traditions characterized by modest dimensions, construction techniques designed to save materials, and extensive recycling of materials. Building traditions have also been affected by the fact that coastal culture was open to influences from abroad. Foreign building materials and designs were used, and buildings were often more modern than elsewhere.

At least one important environment was chosen for this project from each region, so that all Norwegian countieswere represented. Thus specific environments were intended to serve as an example of an activity and a type of environment that is typical of the region. The degree to which an environment can be said to be typical was, therefore, an important criterion in choosing which environments to be represented. In addition, the following criteria were regarded as important:

• the particular type of environment chosen had not been widely protected
• various types of environments were attempted to be covered
• special attention was being paid to the environment's relation to its surroundings and its other historical connections, social and industrial history, authenticity, age and building traditions
• plans for future use or operations
  

Cultural monuments are protected under the Cultural Heritage Act, which covers the protection of buildings and installations and the protection of an area surrounding the monument "in order to preserve the effect of the monument in the environment", as the Act explains. The protection project was combined with government grant schemes for maintenance and restoration. In one project, at the village of Skjærvær, where eggs and down have traditionally been collected, the Directorate for Cultural Heritage played a more active role, providing grants, initiating restoration and training craftsmen. For several years, courses in building conservation have been held in Skjærvær. 

NGOs, property owners and local enthusiasts are important

The public sector is dependent on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the participation of property owners and local enthusiasts. Coastal culture is plain and simple, and this should be taken into account when planning projects along the coast. In this way we can ensure that the projects do not run aground, and that they will preserve durable and authentic elements of our cultural heritage.