Riksintressen

Riksintressen are areas of land and water designated by Swedish national authorities as being of national interest for the country’s long-term development and welfare. The designation serves to safeguard essential functions for society and to guide land and water use in coordination with municipal planning. Common riksintressen cover defense and civil defense, energy production and transmission corridors, transport infrastructure, mineral resources, and water resources, as well as areas of significant natural, recreational, cultural, or historical value.

The designation is established under the Planning and Building Act and by competent national authorities. These can include defense authorities, the Swedish Transport Administration, energy agencies, the Geological Survey of Sweden, and environmental or cultural heritage authorities. The responsible agency specifies the geographic extent and the purpose of the riksintresse and communicates this to the county administrative boards. The designation is then incorporated into regional and municipal planning documents, so that plans and permits are assessed in light of the national interest.

Impact on planning and development is that municipalities must respect riksintressen when preparing detailed development plans and granting building permits. Plans that would markedly conflict with the purpose of a riksintresse require the approving authority’s consent or plan adjustments to avoid undermining national interests. Riksintressen are not property rights; they can be revised or expanded as national priorities evolve, and changes are published in official maps and documents.

Public access to information about riksintressen and their boundaries is provided through official planning documents and state maps, facilitating transparency in how national interests shape local development.