Rural gentrification and heritage-led resistance: walking through a manifestation of nostalgia or an active social response?

Rural gentrification, amenity-led in-migration and displacement in more attractive parts of the countryside are taking up more of the rural discourse. Along this, the centrality of landscape, as a driver for gentrification and as something affected by the same notion, is establishing. This paper explores the paradox of how people move to a certain area because they find that particular landscape appealing, while re-shaping it by moving there. The island of Gotland, Sweden, recognizes that three remote areas are exposed to gentrification. To explore how the landscape has been shaped by gentrification, three walking workshops were held. There was a general interest in protecting both built and natural heritage. This is something that can be understood as a social response towards perceived change: a heritage-led resistance driven by the will to protect a traditional landscape picture. Yet, as this is often be pushed through by own financial means and ideas, the landscape is risking stereotyped features shaped by personal preferences. The inhabitants are in their own way responding through heritage-led resistance. This article argues that gentrification is not inevitable, ways to support development and investments in the countryside that is not dependent on displacement should be better promoted. Landscape heritage is a vital tool that can either strengthen or disrupt power imbalances.