MULTISPECIES RIGHT-TO-ROAM : Reimagining trails as mediators for environmental care and cultural access

Sammanfattning

Allemansrätten allows for humans to roam and stay in nature. It is founded on the principle of do not disturb and do not destroy, yet the very act of moving through nature leaves behind traces. Trails become worn, soil is eroded, vegetation is trampled on, habitats are disturbed, and ecologies are fragmented. This thesis explores how trails, traditionally understood as human infrastructures, can be reimagined as multispecies naturecultural systems that mediate the interaction between humans and non-human actors. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of multispecies relations, cultural practices of access, and ecological studies, the research examines trail typologies, spatial segments, and strategies for designing with living trees. Traditional techniques, such as the Nordic pilkoja and willow weaving, are considered alongside contemporary architectural projects such as the Fab Tree Hab, to investigate how trees can actively shape movement, experience, and habitats. Using the island of Holmön as a case study, the project proposes a segment-based framework for trails, combined with living tree interventions to support ecological functions and enhance the human engagement. Trails are seen not as neutral corridors but as active participants in the landscape. Intentional design of these can turn trails into infrastructures that enables coexistence, environmental care, and cultural experiences, offering a new model for sustainable access in sensitive natural environments.