Perceptions of intensive forestry and multi-storey wood frames among Swedish actors

Abstract: Implementation of intensive forestry (fertilization, cultivation of non-native tree species, and clone cultivation) on part of the forested land area in Sweden and an increased construction of wood-framed multi-storey buildings can contribute to reduce the net carbon dioxide emissions of the built environment. This thesis evaluates the acceptance of and interest in intensive forestry and multi-storey wood frames among different actors, and some of the underlying reasons for their approach. The results of quantitative and qualitative studies among members of the general public, private forest owners, architects, and contracts managers in Sweden are presented in six different papers. Both intensive forestry and multi-storey wood frames lack sufficient acceptance and compliance with relevant institutions such as priorities, norms, and regulations in the eyes of the studied actors. The acceptance of intensive forestry would be larger among members of the general public if they would perceive such practices to have less negative environmental effects and perceive a greater need to increase forest growth. Among the private forest owners, the interest to cultivate non-native tree species would be larger if there were more positive attitudes towards the economic consequences. Architects and contracts managers associate multistorey wood frames with several disadvantages and uncertainties, primarily with respect to fire safety, stability, durability, and sound proofing. The contracts managers’ perceptions have stronger implications for the prospects for wood frames, than the architects’ perceptions do. Promotional activities aimed to change such perceptions may improve the prospects for more wood framed multi-storey buildings in Sweden. The path dependency of Swedish multi-storey construction however implies that such activities are not enough for multi-storey wood frames to diffuse to greater extent. Broader changes to the wider context of the decisions taken in construction projects, e.g. to policy or economic environments, which change the priorities of the construction industry actors, are needed.