Rural-urban conflicts and opportunities

Two forces are apparent in the actual changes of the landscapes, polarization between intensification and extensification and the distinction between urban and rural becoming diffuse and fuzzy. Processes related to urbanization continue to extend and affect even the remotest small village. More and more people living in the countryside use values similar to the ones of the urbanites. Changing landscape structures induce new functionality, as well as conflicts with the current land use. In particular in the highly dynamic and complex suburban fringe, conflicting evaluations are debating every single piece of the strongly fragmented land. Problems involved with the multifunctional use of small spaces are manifold but also offer new opportunities.

The perception and valuing of the landscape is in a fast transition. Different societal groups are forcing to make their values ‘hard’ in rules and legislation. The most widely used and effective technique is to become the owner of the land. Protection and controlling access are intimately linked. The diversity and identity of the cultural landscapes are considered as common, collective-heritage values, characterizing Europe. In many countries of Europe only fragments remain of these typical traditional landscapes. The central question becomes what use to make of traditional cultural landscapes that are no longer functional? How to assess their intrinsic values in relation to their changing spatial context and changing valuation system? Creative, long-term and holistic visions of the future of our landscapes are needed.

Keywords: urban–rural relationship; urbanized landscapes; Europe