Knowing the landscape: a theoretical discussion on the challenges in forming knowledge about landscapes

Abstract

Knowledge about landscapes is highly complex and it is important to clarify how that complexity is reflected in the knowledge claims that feed into a particular planning process. Thus, this paper addresses critical issues and challenges regarding the formation of knowledge about landscapes in spatial planning contexts, based on published landscape research and planning theory. The analysis is rooted in planning theorists' discussion of various types of knowledge claims involved in spatial planning practices. Thinking in terms of knowledge, and discussing both the character of knowledge production and types of knowledge claims that will be included, is a useful approach for choosing and developing assessment methods. To aid such approaches, two key aspects of formation of knowledge about landscapes are addressed here. One is the trans-disciplinary challenge of capturing landscapes as a whole. The other is the normative element of knowledge pertaining to landscapes, including diverging moral and ethical perspectives.

Reimagining landscape: Materiality, decoloniality, and creativity

“…Landscape justice involves thinking critically about the formation of knowledge and questions whose knowledge is valued and asserts that attending to power in landscape is an ethical as much as a scientific endeavour (see Löfgren, 2020). Landscape justice is understood as ‘people’s emplaced right to landscape as a common good of importance to their quality of life’ (Olwig, 2022: 717).…”

Landscape as a Scaling Strategy in Territorial Development

“…The juxtaposition invoked above-between socially (and politically) constructed landscape [39] and objectified landscape bereft of socio-political meaning [40]-reflects a broad dichotomy in landscape scholarship, both at the epistemic and methodological levels. Whilst the potential of the landscape concept continues to carry the promises of integration, reconciliation, and consensus, it is widely acknowledged that, at least in terms of methodology, the deep divide between positivist (scientific objectification of landscapes) and constructionist (social construction of landscapes) approaches remains and appears impossible to bridge [41]. Some have argued that a landscape design approach holds the best promise for bridging the divide [31] whereas others maintain positions of disciplinary primacies [15,26,42].…”

Social Media Image and Computer Vision Method Application in Landscape Studies: A Systematic Literature Review

“…A landscape is the boundary object and intersection of multiple disciplines, scales, and theories [1]. Its knowledge covers material and immaterial, and natural and human sciences; further, a landscape has multiple values for contemporary society [2,3]. The signing of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) in 2000 enhanced people's awareness of the landscape [4].…”