The Telemark Canal as a Regional Park

The Telemark Canal as a Regional Park The Telemark Canal as part of an attractive Regional Park Presentation at Tourism and Landscape Conference; Gothenburg 24th November.

Contents 1. What is a Regional Park? 2. The Telemark Canal as a Regional Park 3. Project organization and progress 4. The main points in the plan for establishment

What is a Regional Park?

A large landscape area Distinctive culture and nature Stimulates tourism, local development and settlement No formal demands yet Hjelle waterway in Skien Small (local) and large (regional) Strong local participation Bandak in Tokke

Landscape parks are being developed Well established in central Europe New in Norway Nærøyfjorden World Heritage Park Valdres Nature and Culture Park Landscape parks in Hordaland Important in the area s development strategy

The Network s definition of a Regional Park A dynamic and long-term cooperation platform for the local community, public authorities and businesses with interest in an informed on and a settled landscape area which: maintains and further develops the area s natural and cultural values supports local participation promotes sustainable added value and branding development through integrated land administration and community development Eidsfoss lock, photo: Jørn Steen

The European Landscape Convention Adopted by the European Council in 2000 Signed by Norway in 2001 Applicable from 2004 The Ministry of Environment wants experiences and development of methods Two Norwegian pilots The Telemark Canal as a Regional Park Plan Network for 5 municipalities in Hordaland

Everthing is landscape according to the Convention Wilderness, coast, country village, urban areas and industrial areas Strengthen ties between people and the landscape Involve the community in the planning, administration and development of the landscape Dalen Need a new type of landscape analysis which includes people s relationship to the landscape which we have tried out Notodden

The Telemark Canal as a Regional Park

Starting point very poor development Outstanding cultural monument and important brand, but a lot of public funding, little profitability decrease in tourist visits Many initiatives and projects, but lacks continuity Lacks an overall plan/direction for administration and development of the canal and the surrounding areas The Telemark Tourist Board s summer catalog 2009

Future objectives 1. Greatly increased tourist visits, longer season 2. Many gateways 3. Good links to boat, bus, train, bicycle, car, airplane 4. Rich in culture and nature activities 5. Clear and well marketed tourist attraction, nationally and internationally 6. Larger and more profitable tourism industry and local business 7. Professional management, good projects, external capital 8. Conscious administration and development of the landscape 9. Booming and identity conscious communities with population growth Forecast 2020

Initiatives need to be coordinated Many stakeholders Public and private Local and regional Need for an organized and continuous cooperation Regional Park is a good instrument for cooperation Løveid lock Log shoot at Notodden

The Telemark Canal as a landscape The landscape along the canal is rich and varied, ref. The Convention Good administration of the canal landscape can create added value by people paying to settle, establish, visit, buy local goods and services along the canal This is assumed on the basis that the local authorities appreciate and are aware of the added value of the canal landscape Skotfoss

Project organization and progress

Project ownership The Canal Municipalities Kviteseid Nome Notodden Skien Sauherad Tokke Photo: Jørn Steen Lårdal dock Regional Authorities The County Governor s Office The County Council The Telemark Canal FKF

Cooperating Partners National authorities Ministry of Environment Ministry of Agriculture and Food Ministry of Municipal and Regional Development The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities Professional expertise Aurland Nature Workshop University for Environment and Biosciences at Ås Telemark Research Bø Asle Farner Strategy and Teamwork International Interreg IVB North Sea Region Program Project Waterways for Growth (www.waterwaysforgrowth.eu) Photo: The Telemark Canal

The project in 5 steps 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Start Pre-project * Plan for park * Prepar e Establish April 16, 2010 * decisions

Activity in this phase 1. Landscape Resource Analysis 2. Study trip to landscape parks in England 3. Three seminars/working meetings for experts, politicians, businesses, etc. The Virgin Rat, Bakkestranda in Skien

The main points in the plan for establishing The Telemark Canal Regional Park in 2011

The Telemark Canal Regional Park will be established in 2011 Spjotsodd dock, Kviteseid waterway, photo: Harald Naper

1. The objective with the Regional Park Increase the areas attractiveness as a tourist destination and residence Stimulate growth and development in business/industry By improving the unique resources linked to the Telemark Canal and the Canal s landscape M/S Henrik Ibsen by Hogga lock, photo: Dalen Hotel

2. The Regional Park s area Encompasses six canal municipalities The canal landscape as the key area The Telemark Canal as the fundamental element and brand Fjågesund bridge, Photo: Aurland Naturverkstad

The Canal Landscape Can be revised in 3-5 years 1. Dalen 2. Bandak west 3. Lårdal 4. Bandaksli 5. Bandak east 6. Strauman 7. Sundkilen 8. Kviteseid-waterway 9. Fjågesund 10. Flåvatn 11. Kilen 12. Flåbygd 13. Hogga and Kjeldal 14. Lunde 15. Eids river 16. Ulefoss 17. Heddal 18. Notodden 19. Hjuksebø 20. Sauar river21. Evju-Hørte 22. Gvarv 23. Akkerhaugen 24. Sandnes/Romnes 25. Valebø 26. Farming villages along Norsjø 27. Skotfoss 28. Skien

3. The Landscape Convention The Regional Park shall maintain and develop the canal landscape In accordance with the European Landscape Convention Bakke beach, Photo: Lene Hennum

4. The Regional Park s tasks 1. Landscape administration 2. Tourism and other business 3. Information and marketing 4. Voluntary sector 5. Competence development and knowledge exchange 6. National and international network 7. Financing of development projects Winter sun over Norsjø lake, photo: Kjell Berland

Priorities during the preliminary years 1. Website 2. Business network for tourism industry 3. Local park guides 4. Professional network for canal landscape 5. National reference park 6. Norwegian network 7. International development 8. Voluntary organizations 9. Annual seminar 10. Park strategy and action plan 11. External funding M/S Telemarken in The Telemark Canal East, photo: Norsjø Hotel

5. The Regional Park s role Coordinator, motor and network developer Create cooperation between stakeholders Dialogue with central authorities Ensure that development projects in the park area are carried out Does not interfere with the roles of the municipalities, county governor or county council with respect to areal administration in accordance with plan and building regulations Photo: Dalen Hotel

6. Cooperation agreement Between The six canal municipalities The County Council The Telemark Canal FKF Flåbygd church, photo: Nome municipality

8. The Regional Park s administration Two permanent employees At least one project related employee NOK 3 million operating budget Larger activities and projects shall be financed with external funding Located together with The Telemark Canal FKF The County Council as the formal employer Patmos sculpture park, Akkerhaugen

7. The Owners obligations Finance the operating budget in fellowship Contribute to the Regional Park s objectives and tasks Through cooperation and own initiatives Linked to development of the landscape, local communities, businesses, etc. Apple blossoms with Mt. Lifjell as a setting, photo: The Telemark Canal

9. The Regional Park s steering committee Persons with diverse competence which the Regional Park can utilize Chosen by the owners All owner municipalities should be represented Vrangfoss

10. A permanent organization The Regional Park shall be a permanent organization Develops in relation to the experiences and the added value which the stakeholders in the area perceive Hogga lock

Critical success factors Response and will power With public and private stakeholders along the canal All canal municipalities participate What s in it for me?