Landscape values of rural inhabitants in the Sound region two case studies; reflections and theoretical considerations on culture/nature relations and social space Hansen-Møller, Jette; Saltzman, Katarina; Svensson, Birgitta Publication date: 2005 Document version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Citation for published version (APA): Hansen-Møller, J., Saltzman, K., & Svensson, B. (2005). Landscape values of rural inhabitants in the Sound region: two case studies; reflections and theoretical considerations on culture/nature relations and social space. (pp. 1-129). Center for Skov, Landskab og Planlægning/Københavns Universitet. Download date: 25. Sep. 2021 Working Papers Landscape values of rural inhabitants No. 13-2005 Urban and Regional Planning in the Sound region Jette Hansen-Møller, Katarina Saltzman and Birgitta Svensson Title Landscape values of rural inhabitants in the Sound region Authors Jette Hansen-Møller, Katarina Saltzman and Birgitta Svensson Publisher Danish Centre for Forest Landscape and Planning, KVL Hørsholm Kongevej 11 DK-2970 Hørsholm Tel. +45 3528 1500 E-mail [email protected] Series-title and no. Forest & Landscape Working Papers no.13-2005 publiced at www.SL.kvl.dk ISBN 87-7903-260-5 Citation Jette Hansen-Møller, Katarina Saltzman & Birgitta Svensson (2005): Landscape values of rural inhabitants in the Sound region. Forest & Landscape Working Papers no.13-2005, Danish Centre for Forest Landscape and Planning, KVL, xxx pp. Citation allowed with clear source indication Written permission is required if you wish to use Forest & Landscape´s name and/or any part of this report for sales and advertising purpose Forest & Landscape is an independent centre for research, education and extension concerning forest, landscape and planning at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL) Preface This report is the result of an interdisciplinary pilot study within the project “Landscape as a Resource for Health and Development”. The project has received a grant of Skr. 100.000 from the Öforsk project “The Landscape as a Resource for Health and Development in the Sound Region”. Within the project similarities and differences of the meaning of landscape to 3 residents respectively in Bramsnæs and 3 in Landskrona municipality in the Sound Region has been investigated through qualitative interviews. A matrix inspired by the semiotics of the American philosopher Charles S. Peirce and the considerations of space of the French sociologist Henri Lefebvre has been developed in relation to the project and serves as the theoretical foundation of the study. The project has been carried out by Professor Birgitta Svensson, Department of Ethnology University of Lund and Nordiska museet, Stockholm (responsible for the project), Associate professor, Phil. Dr. Jette Hansen-Møller, Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, PhD Katarina Saltzman Department of Ethnology, The University of Gothenburg and PhD-student Hans Jørgen Fisker, Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen. Jette Hansen-Møller, December 2005 3 Contents Preface............................................................................................................................. 3 Abstract........................................................................................................................... 5 Background, objectives and expectations............................................................. 5 The areas of the case study....................................................................................... 7 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 10 Interview Guide........................................................................................................ 12 Theoretical considerations for investigating the landscape of its inhabitants.................................................................................................................... 13 Nature......................................................................................................................... 16 Culture ....................................................................................................................... 21 Landscape ................................................................................................................ 25 Analysis..................................................................................................................... 30 Findings......................................................................................................................... 32 Lars: A nature lover................................................................................................ 32 Gunilla: A horse owner – realising dreams about life in the countryside 48 Søren: An incarnated bicyclist finding challenge and peace in rural isolation..................................................................................................................... 60 Carina: An ambiguous newcomer owning an affordable house in a forgotten countryside pocket .............................................................................. 69 Ole: Fifth generation farmer and politician ...................................................... 81 Anders: An entrepreneur and immigrant to the farmers’ community....... 97 Conclusions ............................................................................................................... 113 The values of nature and landscape................................................................ 114 The meaning of cultivated nature to the farmers ......................................... 115 Social life in the countryside ............................................................................. 116 A rural and central location................................................................................ 118 Conflicting interests............................................................................................. 119 Lessons for planning........................................................................................... 120 References: ................................................................................................................ 122 4 Abstract This report is a result of an interdisciplinary pilot study of the meaning of the landscape to residents that have either lived for a longer timer or are newcomers to the countryside in two municipalities in the Sound region. Through qualitative interviews with 3 respondent in Bramsnæs and 3 in Landskrona municipality the goal has been to unveil similarities and differences of their perceptions, experiences and arguments concerning their physical and social environment. A matrix inspired by the semiotics of the american philosopher Charles S. Peirce and the considerations of space of the French sociologist Henri Lefebvre has been developed in relation to the project and serves as its theoretical foundation of the study. Keywords: meaning of landscape, semiotics, social space, countryside, culture-nature relations Background, objectives and expectations Landscape is a highly complex concept. In this context it is interpreted as different social constructions and physical expressions of relations between culture and nature. To grasp the dynamics of landscapes, knowledge and understanding of the many ways in which landscapes are used, experienced and perceived by people are essential. Important ethnological contributions to landscape research are the methods to understand the multiple (co- operating and conflicting) uses and perceptions of landscapes (Saltzman 2001). Because all knowledge is born out of specific places and specific actions, all knowledge is spatially bound, and based on specific perspectives and therefore landscape analysis must be based on situated knowledge (cf. Massey 1994). From this follows a relational understanding of time and space, and an awareness of the fact that values are present in all spatial representations and activities. Further, the point of departure in this project is that landscape is an expression of values of both culture and nature and that these phenomena have to be integrated in order to accomplish balanced solid conditions and sustainable development (cf. Harvey 1996). During the latest decades a major transformation of the rural landscape within the Sound region has taken place as well on the physical level as on the level of attitudes. The number of farmers in the countryside has decreased considerably, since the economical foundation for earning a living has changed. Instead, people who have been brought up under urban conditions have settled in the countryside in order to obtain what they consider more satisfying living conditions (cf. Amcoff 2000). Some effects of this change are clearly visible in the landscape. But which are the values that these newcomers experience and bring into the countryside? How do they alter social life in the rural areas? What are their ideas about the relationship between culture and nature? Is a diversified economy of the contemporary countryside comparable to the hidden diversification of the rural economy in former times (cf. Scott 1998)? 5 In this study we approach the landscape as a biophysical reality and a socio- cultural construction as well in order to investigate the cultural meanings