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Project

Between landscape conservation and nature development. Mapping the terrain in Flanders (1970-2000).

Internationally, landscape and nature/ecology are foregrounded as a new ground to recalibrate the discipline of spatial planning. However, in Flanders there is a problematic tension between landscape and nature policy, translated in planning strategies based on either static zoning or on a dynamic systemic development; a divide standing in the way of this new integrated conception of spatial planning. As first step in bridging the divide, the STIMPRO-project aims at contextualizing the tension by placing it in a historical perspective. The current, a-historical reading of nature and landscape policy gives way to a one-dimensional focus on the technical and scientific approach in planning theory and practice, which obscures an in-depth understanding of the challenges at stake, both environmental and social.The project examines a key period of formalization and conception of planning instruments (1970-2000), in which a legal and institutional framework for both landscape and nature policy were developed. It focuses on two paradigmatic cases, in which crucial issues and questions on landscape and nature conception crystallize: 1) the Landscape Atlas (Landschapsatlas, LA), based on an assessment of traditional landscapes and a rationale of zoning; 2) the Green Main Structure (Groene Hoofdstructuur, GHS), based on a network and development strategy. Starting from this case studies the project aims at: 1) gaining insight in the concepts of conservation and development in nature and landscape policy in Flanders and uncovering the networks of actors and ideas involved and 2) tracing the ideological arguments, sociocultural motives, conflicts and power relations underlying the scientific/technocratic rationale.Methodologically, the assembly of networks and narratives is grounded in Bruno Latour's Actor-Network Theory and Maarten Hajer's and John Dryzek's work on environmental discourses. The research is based on three types of primary sources: 1) individual interviews with a preselected group of 14 actors that played a primary role in the development of the LA and GHS in government administrations, research institutions, and preservation committees; 2) archives of the actors, institutions and associations under study; 3) the reports of the Scientific Conferences for Greening (1975-84). The feasibility of the research is ensured by the pre-selection of the actors and literature by the promoters and the targeted way of addressing the archives.The project contributes to the research activities of the Henry van de Velde research group (HVDV), and more specifically to the cluster Heritage and Resilience, by initiating a long-term research line on landscape history, design and policy, which inscribes heritage studies in a present-day development perspective. The STIMPRO-project is a first step of a PhD project that will be set up by the promoters (FWO, IWT) as well as prepares the foundation for possible research funded by governmental administrations. The cooperation between promoter Bruno Notteboom and co-promoter Greet De Block of the Centre for Urban History is essential for the interdisciplinary approach of this research and makes it possible to contribute to two frontline research domains of the University of Antwerp: Ecology and Sustainable Development, and Urban History and Contemporary Urban Policy.
Date:1 Jul 2016 →  31 Dec 2017
Keywords:FLANDERS, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION, SPATIAL PLANNING, NATURE DEVELOPMENT
Disciplines:History and foundations, Ecology, Environmental science and management, Other environmental sciences, Landscape architecture, Urban and regional design, development and planning, Economic history, History, Art studies and sciences