flerbruk

Flerbruk is the practice of using resources in multiple ways to maximize value and minimize waste. The term is used in Scandinavian languages to describe multipurpose use of land, water, and related resources, as well as multipurpose products and facilities.

In land management, flerbruk encompasses strategies such as agroforestry, intercropping, crop rotation, and integrating crop production with animal husbandry to produce food, fiber, fuel, and soil or habitat benefits on the same area. It also includes using agricultural by-products for multiple purposes, such as straw for animal bedding and bioenergy, or manure management for fertilizer and biogas production.

In rural planning, flerbruk can refer to the design of landscapes and settlements that accommodate several functions—agriculture, housing, recreation, and nature protection—on the same site or within a connected system. In building and infrastructure, it denotes multi-use facilities and adaptable spaces that can serve different activities over time, reducing the need for new construction and optimizing land use.

The approach offers benefits such as diversified income, resilience to market or climate shocks, and improved ecosystem services, but it also poses challenges including planning complexity, regulatory hurdles, conflicts between uses, and higher upfront costs. Related concepts include agroforestry, sustainable land use, and the circular economy.