From Protected Heritage to Living Social Infrastructure

Background
In the project Innherred Urban and Rural Laboratory, five municipalities developed shared methods for co creative place development. Two cases illustrate how cultural heritage in active use can function as a foundation for meeting places that mobilize local communities, strengthen belonging, and promote inclusive processes.

The Project
In Verdal, the association Øras Vel led the restoration of the historically significant Rostadbrygga, while the municipality acted as a supportive and essential enabler. The municipality contributed political anchoring, professional guidance, applications and connections to building conservation professionals. Local craftspeople offered open courses in traditional building techniques, and vocational students carried out restoration tasks as practical training. Around 160 people participated, including 100 students. Through this work, the boathouse evolved from a restoration project into a piece of social infrastructure.

In Levanger, the protected heritage environment Trehusbyen has long been a setting where the municipality has needed to balance its roles as both heritage authority and community developer. Property owners who found the restrictions challenging were engaged through a trust building “round table method” where owners, volunteers, and businesses participated as equal partners. Through public events, dialogue processes, and urban development workshops, they turned the cultural environment into an everyday arena for activity, rather than a static object of protection. By linking local resources with professional environments and establishing clear frameworks for collaboration, they developed a practice of heritage conservation through active use.

What We Have Learned
Together, the cases show a clear strengthening of local ownership, pride, and community, as well as more equitable collaboration between volunteers, schools, businesses, and municipalities. The transfer of traditional craftsmanship knowledge to young people may also have contributed to increased social capital.
Cultural heritage can function as social infrastructure when protection is combined with active use—turning heritage environments into everyday arenas for participation, but the municipality’s role as facilitator is crucial. Learning in open and inclusive communities also functions as public health work, particularly when young people are involved.

Key Message
The implications for prevention and health promotion are that cultural heritage in active use—supported by municipal facilitation—can create meeting places that foster participation and community. These can bridge generations and groups, providing a foundation for inclusive and health promoting local environments.