Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

As the number of inhabitants increases, the cities expand into the former rural landscape. The urbanization causes changes to the functioning of the peri-urban fringe. Land that previously was used for agricultural production is now used for alternative enterprises, as for example horse keeping and recreation. 75 % of all horses (approx. 200 000) are situated in the peri-urban fringe. Horse keeping is not an issue that is easy to neglect, for example in the spatial planning of new housing areas. The planners at municipal level have to struggle with questions as horses being kept too close to homes; this can course allergies and other disturbances. They also have to consider the demand for new places to practise horse riding. The overall aim of this study was to explore the impact of increased horse keeping on the spatial planning of the municipals. For this purpose a questionnaire was sent to 18 municipals in Sweden. As a conclusion: (1) The municipals need common guidelines for spatial planning considering horse keeping. (2) To avoid conflict, the municipals need to inform the horse owner and the landowner of the right of common access. (3) It is also necessary to consider the horses to reach some of the goal of the Swedish official environmental quality policy. (4) Make sure that the cooperation between the municipals and the County Administrative Board is efficient in the aspect of animal protection. Common guidelines are needed and planning questions need to be coordinated. (5) Consider the equine business as a natural part of the business world.