Session organisers: Andrew Butler1, Andreas Aa. Christensen2,3, Veerle Van Eetvelde3,2, Matt Cashmore4
(1) Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish Agricultural University, Sweden
(2) Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, Denmark
(3) Department of Geography, Gent University, Belgium
(4) Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
Session description
In contemporary landscape research, a conspicuous gap exists in the exploration of politics. Discussions often reduce politics to a question of democratic values and processes, neglecting under downplaying the intricate interplay of power dynamics shaping landscapes. The proposed session aims to contribute to the development of a more comprehensive understanding of politics in the context of landscapes, drawing on conceptual inspiration and evidence from diverse disciplines such as political theory, political ecology, and cultural geography.
Landscapes, far from being neutral, emerge as dynamic sources, sites, and manifestations of politics. This reciprocal relationship is essential for understanding societal values and practices in relation to the land. We view landscape as inherently political, and encourage critical scrutiny and theoretical exploration of the politics of landscape, recognising politics as a multifaceted process of deliberation and formation, projection and delivery of agency operating on multiple institutional levels and scales. This perspective underscores questions of power, investigating why certain actors wield influence while others appear relatively powerless.
The session will explore the interplay between politics, power, and landscapes. Through the session we aspire to enrich the landscape research paradigm by embracing a holistic understanding of politics, paving the way for a more nuanced and inclusive examination of the intricate connections between landscapes and the political forces that shape them.
