The Second Home Phenomenon and New Rural Conflicts. Implications for Policies for a Rural – Andrehjemsfenomenet og nye bygdekonflikter

The cross-disciplinary (sociology and geography) research project will study the economic, social and cultural processes related to second homes phenomenon in Norway. In particular, the project analyzes aspects of the transformed urban-rural relationship in Norwegian society that is reflected by the second home sprawl: as people no longer are solely urban or rural – neither in minds, actions nor locations, but rather combine elements of these phenomena in their everyday lives – new urban/rural identities and social practices are negotiated and enacted. The project will describe, conceptualize and explain these new urban-rural interfaces by studying the interaction that takes place between the visiting second home population consisting of predominantly 'leisure class urbanites' and the 'traditional' rural actors in the host communities. Thus, the project will generate knowledge on how the second homes influence "urban" and "rural" actors everyday life and how the second home phenomenon also impacts rural communities.