The many faces of local community: Exploring lay conceptualizations of the Norwegian lokalsamfunn |
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Authors: | Sabrina Scherzer Nina Gunnerud Berg Haakon Lein |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9391-9734;2. Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT Despite much attention paid to the topic of community in academic literature and policy documents, there is a relative lack of knowledge about what laypersons perceive as a local community. Based on data from a national survey, the authors examine how c.1400 Norwegians conceptualized local community – lokalsamfunn in Norwegian. They reveal some of the linguistic and conceptual aspects of local community as a term, in addition to tendencies and patterns among the survey responses. The respondents’ conceptualizations contained references to lokalsamfunn variously as a geographical area, people and relations, activities and involvement, attachment to place and people, and provider of local goods and services. Their main emphasis was on lokalsamfunn as a spatial unit. However, the responses contained relatively few references to the relational aspects of lokalsamfunn. The authors conclude that a common, lay understanding may be that lokalsamfunn is a vaguely defined but limited geographical unit filled with people who to varying degrees know each other and interact. Concerning policymaking aimed at fostering communal well-being, the authors hold that any community-based programming requires intricate knowledge of the people who form the community, since without community interaction and a degree of social cohesion any envisioned programmes may not succeed. |
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Keywords: | lay perceptions local community survey |
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