The commons and emergent land in Kvarken Archipelago, Finland: governing an expanding recreational resource

Emergent land in the Kvarken Archipelago presents unique governance challenges due to its dynamic formation from shore displacement. This study reveals that collectively owned emergent land, comprising 14% of the archipelago's second homes, is less commercialized and modernized compared to privately owned plots. The research highlights distinct logics in recreational resource management within these commons, where access is restricted to part-owners, thereby shaping power dynamics and sustainable use practices. Interviews with stakeholders—including municipality planners, local communities, and land survey authorities—shed light on the values and governance structures underpinning this expanding recreational resource.

Svels, K., & Åkerlund, U. (2018). The commons and emergent land in Kvarken Archipelago, Finland: governing an expanding recreational resource. Fennia - International Journal of Geography, 196(2), 154–167. https://doi.org/10.11143/fennia.69022