A Guide to Zero-Carbon Skåne

Not every visitor to Näset wants only to enjoy the beautiful views of the Öresund. If you are among the ones that care about historical architecture, or simply have a grudge against new construction on coastal land, you might want to visit Occupy Skanör in northern… ah, Skanör. Since October 2049, a motley crew of protestors and activists from all over have gathered here to protest the planned construction of a so-called “eco-adapt-friendly gated community on poles” in central Skanör—which, we would note, is even harder to say and write in Swedish than it is in English.

(Thankfully, some local wag dubbed it pålpalatset—literally “the pole palace”—which has made things a little easier for protestors, journalists and tourist guide editors; the architecture firm overseeing the project, on the other hand, were unavailable for comment.)

The protestors object to far more than just the ungainly name of this proposed construction project. Some own buildings on the land, and don’t like the fact that the municipality is pressuring them to sell their family homes and relocate as part of the flexmark ordinances. Others want to preserve the old look and feel of downtown Skanör, which is notably devoid of homes on stilts. Yet others are opposed to construction in coastal areas, full stop, and would prefer the municipality to focus on building evacuation towers that are for everyone to use, not just the well-heeled. Together, these otherwise very different tribes have come together to turned the partly demolished beach-shacks of the proposed site into a vibrant space where colourful paintings and improvised sculptures abound! (Reliable plumbing and toilets are, it should be noted, rather less abundant.)

Do you feel strongly about any of these issues, and want to join the protest? Or do you simply want a cheap place to stay in one of the most beautiful (and let’s be honest, expensive) parts of Skåne? The Occupy Skanör movement are currently offering free lodging in their shacks to all visitors who join them for a day to perch atop one of the already-erected foundation poles… a perfect way to both save some money and work on your balance! Just don’t doze off up there, OK?