Evolving rural landscapes

Prof.dr. Han WiskerkeSub-department Sociology & Anthropology of DevelopmentRural Sociology Group

Land use

Land use

Built environmentNatureGreenhouse horticultureAgricultureWater

Land use

Spatial segregation of land use functions

Mental and physical barrier between urban and rural

Introduction

Post WW2 modernization of the countryside Characteristics and impact on rural landscapes

Competing claims & reorientation of agricultural development Characteristics and impact on rural landscapes

Future developments

Post WW2 agricultural modernisation

Embedded in overall policy objective of fast export-oriented industrialisation: Self sufficiency in food supply at low prices for consumers Enhancement of the export of agricultural products through

increase of production (in order to improve the national balance of payments)

Two important lines in agricultural policy1. Intensification of production 2. Structural development of the agricultural sector (1958-

1972)• Land reallocation / reconstruction measures• Development and reconstruction funds• Reduction of manual labour• Specialisation

Agricultural modernisation

Aim of land reallocation and reconstruction measures

Land reallocation / reconstruction measures (1961-1975)

Noord-Beveland as example Changes in rural landscape Changes in agricultural

structure Reconstruction works

started after finalisation of ´Delta-works´

Agricultural modernisation

Landscape before reconstruction

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Reconstruction works

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Landscape after reconstruction

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

Agricultural modernisation

The impact of land reallocation / reconstruction measures

(example Noord-Beveland – Province of Zeeland)

Before (1961) After (1975)

No. of farms 233 147

No. of plots 1000 423

Average no. of plots/farm 4.3 2.9

Average plot size (ha) 6.3 14.5

Average farm size (ha) 24.8 41.4

Agricultural modernisation

For decades the primary function of the countryside was agriculture (production of food, feed and fibre)

In recent decades agricultural land is increasingly needed for: Housing Industry and businesses Infrastructure (roads, railways) Nature Recreation

Competing claims & modern agriculture in crisis

From the 1980s onwards the negative side-effects of modernisation gradually gained importance in the public debate

In the 1990s agriculture was considered to be in a threefold crisis: Economic crisis (increasing costs, decreasing revenues) Ecological crisis (environmental pollution, deterioration of

nature and landscape, degradation of (agro)biodiversity) Socio-cultural crisis (lack of trust in food quality and safety,

agriculture disconnected from society; animal welfare concerns)

Competing claims & modern agriculture in crisis

Growing demand for different land use in the countryside AND modern agriculture in crisis: Is there a solution to address both challenges at the same

time? What are the implications for landscape?

Two trendss: Change of land use (from agriculture to living,

infrastructure, industry, nature, water) by maintaining spatial segregation of functions.

Change of land use combined with diversification of on-farm activities through spatial integration of functions (multifunctional agriculture / land use)

Change of land use

Change of land use – spatial segregation

Change of land use – spatial segregation

Change of land use – spatial segregation

Change of land use – spatial segregation

Change of land use – multifunctional land use

Agrarian nature & landscape management

Change of land use – multifunctional land use

Agri-tourism

Change of land use – multifunctional land use

Green care

Change of land use – multifunctional land use

Combination of activities:

- Parties

- Excursions

- Shop

- Restaurant

- Education

- Sports

Multifunctional land use is increasing as more and more farms are diversifying

This is supported by EU Rural Development policies (but quite often hampered by spatial planning regulations, especially at municipal level)

Change of land use – multifunctional land use

A shift from multifunctional land use at farm level to multifunctional land use at regional level: A shift from a business model to a regional development

model based on the concept of economies of synergies (region branding)

Requires consultation and negotiation with many actors (private, public and civic sector)

Successful examples: Groene Woud (Netherlands), Wine routes in Tuscany (Italy), Fuchsia brands (West Cork, Ireland)

Future developments (1)

Fuchsia Brands (Ireland)• Initiative of West Cork

LEADER Co-op Society

• Revive regional economy by creating synergies between agriculture, food SMEs, tourism, crafts, culture and arts

• Utilize and valorize endogenous resources (territorial capital) through regional brand (Fuchsia)

• Generate additional value added (€ 107 million) and employment (> 1100 jobs)

Wineroutes in Tuscany (Italy)• Switch from unbranded table

wine to high quality wines of denominated origin,

• Intertwine on-farm sales of wine with other activities: gastronomy based on locality and tradition, luxury farmhouse accommodation, information about viticulture, hiking routes, cultural history

• Activities are offered along a ‘wine route’: a tour of vineyards and wine cellars and of varied landscapes and cultural and historical attractions.

• Significant resource in the marketing of Tuscany as a region where the good life can be found.

Future developments (2)

Gradual disappearance of the urban-rural divide: Urban food production Continuous productive landscapes (based on Viljoen &

Bohn’s CPULS concept: continuous productive urban landscapes)

Urban food production

Continuous productive landscapes

Thank you for your attention

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