Neo-liberalising the countryside of Skåne - the golf course development in Bara

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Structure of this magister thesis

1.2 Aim of this thesis

1.3 Delimitations

1.4 Methods and material

2 Background – the village of Bara and the golf course development

3 General theoretical approaches for analysing rurality

4 Theoretical background of this thesis

4.1 Neo-liberalism – introduction and theoretical background

4.2 The concept of sustainability – social and ecological sustainability in rural spaces

4.3 Theoretical approaches on rural planning and traffic planning

5 Analysing the rural development in the village of Bara

5.1 The development in Bara – neo-liberalism in the countryside of Skåne or where is the social sustainability?

5.2 Environmental aspects, the case of traffic and ecological sustainability in the planning of the Bara golf course

6 Conclusions

Research Objectives & Core Themes

This thesis aims to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the environmental and social impacts of golf course development in the Swedish countryside, specifically in the village of Bara, through a critical analysis of neo-liberal influences, planning processes, and sustainability.

• Analysis of neo-liberalism and its role in the commodification of rural spaces.
• Evaluation of social and ecological sustainability in large-scale leisure developments.
• Investigation of traffic planning and its impact on the local environment and biodiversity.
• Assessment of the public-private partnership model in rural planning and its effect on accessibility.
• Exploration of the shift in land use from agriculture to tourist-oriented commercialization.

Extract from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: Introduces the research scope and the significant lack of literature regarding the neo-liberalization of rural areas through golf course developments in Sweden.

2 Background – the village of Bara and the golf course development: Provides a historical overview of Bara and details the current planning project, which includes a 52-hole golf course, hotel, and conference facilities.

3 General theoretical approaches for analysing rurality: Discusses contemporary geographical approaches, such as the cultural turn and rural hybridities, to frame the analysis of rural space.

4 Theoretical background of this thesis: Establishes the core frameworks: neo-liberalism, sustainable development (social/ecological), and planning theory (specifically traffic planning).

5 Analysing the rural development in the village of Bara: Integrates empirical findings from interviews and official documents with theoretical concepts to evaluate the planning process and sustainability impacts.

6 Conclusions: Summarizes findings, asserting that the Bara development is highly influenced by neo-liberalism and lacks both social and ecological sustainability.

Keywords

Neo-liberalism, Sustainability, Rural Development, Planning, Traffic Planning, Golf Course Development, Commodification, Social Sustainability, Ecological Sustainability, Public-Private Partnership, Rural Geography, Skåne, Bara, Land Use, Environmental Impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this thesis?

The research explores the impact of golf course and leisure developments on rural areas, with a specific focus on the village of Bara in Skåne, Sweden, through the lens of critical social geography.

What are the primary themes analyzed in the study?

The study focuses on the intersection of neo-liberalism, sustainable development, and rural planning, particularly how these factors influence the use of space and environmental/social outcomes.

What is the overarching research goal?

The goal is to determine whether the large-scale golf course development in Bara aligns with principles of social and ecological sustainability, or if it represents a commodification of rural space.

Which methodology is applied in this research?

The author uses a qualitative approach, including literature analysis, plan analysis of zoning documents, in-depth interviews with local officials/planners, and site observations.

What does the main body of the work cover?

It provides a theoretical framework regarding neo-liberalism and sustainability, followed by a detailed analysis of the Bara development, covering land-use changes, social exclusion, and traffic planning.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Key terms include Neo-liberalism, Sustainability, Rural Development, Planning, Traffic Planning, and Golf Course Development.

How is the public-private partnership model evaluated?

The author argues that this partnership model in Bara is driven by private developer interests, leading to the privatization of land previously accessible under Swedish public access rights (Allemansrätten).

What are the specific environmental concerns regarding the golf course?

The author highlights the destruction of high-quality agricultural land, the reduction of local biodiversity, and the significant increase in traffic (estimated at 64%) as unsustainable environmental consequences.