There is a growing awareness of the central role of the landscapes as embodiments of natural and historical values. In many areas, however, landscapes are being altered dramatically. Critics note a trend towards placelessness, as the forces of modernization replace local contours and textures with standardized forms. Landscapes are commodified, their shapes manipulated to meet new criteria of beauty and value. These changes are especially evident in western Canada and the US, where rural gentrification promotes landscapes that reflect the tastes and leisure-based lifestyles of affluent consumers. This session explores themes of landscape change and the erosion of place. The session does not focus exclusively on rural landscapes but will consider urban and peri-urban landscapes as well. Both theoretical and empirical papers are welcome.
Session Organizer: David MacLennan, PhD, Thompson Rivers University, dmaclennan@tru.ca
Session Code: Envr2
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