Special EUCALAND session
Session organisers: Alexandra Kruse1, Zdeněk Kučera2, Pierre-François Toulze1
(1) EUCALAND, Institute for Research on European Agricultural Landscapes e.V.
(2) Charles University, Faculty of Science, Czechia
Session description
Landscapes are cross-border phenomena and unique landscapes are often located along the major political borders within Europe. Despite past changes of political and cultural borders within many European areas, it is the unique character of cross-border landscapes that often provides unifying potential for development of cross-border contacts, community and place identities within Europe’s regions. However, in the context of past and present political, societal and cultural developments, there are also many challenges connected with identification, interpretation, management and protection of cross-border landscapes and their heritages. Although landscapes located along the major borders may have shared in the past some of the driving forces resulting in its present common unique character, differing political conditions existing and management approaches applied especially along the national borders may have led to various resulting transformations with different impact on the original local landscape character. Cross-border landscapes also often represent unique ecosystems, such as big river or mountain landscapes that by its very nature pose specific challenges for parties involved in their management.
The session will focus on the discussion of various aspects of identification, management, interpretation and presentation of heritage of cross-border landscapes in Europe. We want to discuss not only problems of cross-border management cooperation of especially protected areas, like the Bohemian-Saxonian Switzerland (Czechia-Germany), Danube-Delta (Ukraine-Romania), UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont Perdu in the Pyrenes (Spain-France), Lapland (Finland-Sweden). We would like to also explore the origins and roots of cross-border heritage landscapes and various narratives and discourses connected to identification and interpretation of their values.
The session will address especially the following and related questions:
– What are the origins, meanings and values of European cross-border heritage landscapes?
– How have past political, societal and cultural developments impacted their unique character?
– Can landscape serve as stable foundation for cross-border regional identities and cooperation? Under which conditions?
– Which problems and challenges do stakeholders face when promoting cooperation in the management of cross-border landscapes?
– Is there a future for cross-border heritage landscapes within Europe?
