Brenda Barrett - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Brenda Barrett

In 2011, the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes (ISCCL) began ... more In 2011, the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes (ISCCL) began a cultural project, the World Rural Landscapes Initiative, with the goal of a wide and systematic approach to cultural heritage for rural areas both outstanding and ordinary) that has not been sufficiently developed in the past. A first goal has been achieved: “Principles Concerning Rural Landscape as Heritage” was adopted as a doctrinal text by ICOMOS (Delhi 2017) and translated in English, French, Chinese, Spanish and Arabian (worldrurallandscapes.org). This Knowledge Cafe will focus on methods and case studies to implement the main premises and contents of the Principles Text through a structured conversation with attendees. What actions have been developed to preserve and enhance the rural landscape that involve farmers, citizens, and public administrations and in particular that highlight nature-culture relationship and sustainable collaboration? The Knowledge cafe will be organized...

Landscape Research, 2015

Abstract The conservation of agricultural heritage is an emerging field that offers opportunities... more Abstract The conservation of agricultural heritage is an emerging field that offers opportunities for integrating heritage values into strategies for environmental, economic and social sustainability in rural areas in the US. Even though farmsteads and ranches are iconic representations of rural communities, little attention has been given to the cultural heritage values of agricultural landscapes or in agricultural policy. Climate change, global market drivers and significant demographic shifts threaten agrarian resources. Today, there is an urgent need to address the loss of agricultural land and enhance the sustainability of agricultural systems. This article argues that it is timely to consider heritage as an integral part of developing strategies to adapt agricultural systems and make them more resilient. Some promising recent efforts demonstrate that heritage designations, partnerships and stewardship programmes offer strategic advantages and should be an integral part of a broader set of agricultural reforms, creating a new synthesis.

Rural landscapes are a vital component of the heritage of humanity. They are also one of the most... more Rural landscapes are a vital component of the heritage of humanity. They are also one of the most common types of continuing cultural landscapes. There is a great diversity of rural landscapes around the world that represent cultures and cultural traditions. They provide multiple economic and social benefits, multifunctionality, cultural support and ecosystem services for human societies. This document encourages deep reflection and offers guidance on the ethics, culture, environmental, and sustainable transformation of rural landscape systems, at all scales, and from international to local administrative levels. Acknowledging the global importance of culturally-based food production and use of renewable natural resources, and the issues and threats challenging such activities within contemporary cultural, environmental, economic, social, and legal contexts;

The United States National Heritage Areas (NHA) are congressionally designated lived-in landscape... more The United States National Heritage Areas (NHA) are congressionally designated lived-in landscapes that reflect the nation’s significant and diverse landscape. The management of these areas is based on a community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development. Beginning in 1984, the movement took root and rapidly grew to its present number of 49 NHAs with dozens of proposed areas under consideration (“National Heritage Areas” National Park Service). The idea was founded in many of same impulses as the early greenway approach. Glenn Eugester traces the evolution the idea to a number of separate, but related ideas to coordinate natural resource conservation, historic preservation, land use and economic development on a regional scale. While there were multiple factors at work, in his opinion what defines the movement is its focus on place and story of place combined with advocacy, civic engagement, inter-disciplinary planning, and action (Eugester 50).

Pennsylvania History, 2012

This paper explores the conservation and management of heritage resources on a landscape scale, t... more This paper explores the conservation and management of heritage resources on a landscape scale, the role of government agencies in relationship to local communities, and the outcomes on community revitalization as illustrated by a specific case study. Landscape models founded on civic engagement and governmental investments in cultural assets, and land conservation are an emerging policy direction in the United States. One of the most ambitious of these projects is the Pennsylvania Wilds. Evaluations of the project demonstrate that investments in parks and forest infrastructure, tourism promotion and local communities produced positive economic impacts primarily through increased visitation. However, the research highlights the challenges of developing a common approach between public land managers, economic development programs, and community residents including the definition of regional heritage. Today this strategy for landscape management in the PA Wilds is being severely teste...

Built Heritage

As one of the oldest and best-known park systems, the US National Park System continues to influe... more As one of the oldest and best-known park systems, the US National Park System continues to influence park systems around the world. However, the origins and wide diversity of US national parks are often not fully understood as there is a long-lived misconception that the large western parks represent the entirety of the US National Park System. In fact, the establishment of the first US national parks was heavily influenced by large 19 th-century picturesque urban parks that provided benefits to the public and society. The foundational concept of national parks serving a public purpose has never changed, however, the types of landscapes selected as national parks have changed as societal values have evolved and now the system provides public benefits beyond those originally envisioned. This paper examines the development of the US National Park System, emphasising the evolution of landscape values. The emergence of the cultural landscape concept illustrates the evolution of landscape values from their early antecedents in the late 19 th century to their contributions to innovative conservation strategies today. Throughout the development of the US National Park System, international exchange has and continues to play a pivotal role, advancing the inter-linkages of culture and nature for the most effective conservation.

Landscape Journal

The heritage value of agricultural landscapes is an area of cultural landscape practice receiving... more The heritage value of agricultural landscapes is an area of cultural landscape practice receiving renewed attention worldwide due to the current surge of interest in place-making, heritage tourism, food security, sustainable agriculture, and large-scale landscape conservation. Compared to many other countries, agricultural landscapes in the U.S. remain underrepresented in heritage recognition programs and are not widely embraced as a heritage conservation priority. In this context, international conservation practice offers ideas for integrating heritage values into strategies for environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This review of U.S. and international initiatives demonstrates that the time is right for new strategies recognizing the full value of agricultural landscapes. To advance conservation of designated agricultural landscapes and their rural contexts in the U.S., this paper recommends that the National Park Service (NPS), in collaboration with a diverse array of partners, create a “Rural Heritage Agenda.” This ambitious undertaking will more consistently link recognition of heritage values with community-led efforts for conservation of U.S. agricultural landscapes.

Nature Policies and Landscape Policies, 2014

It is generally acknowledged that protected areas do not encompass the scale necessary for effect... more It is generally acknowledged that protected areas do not encompass the scale necessary for effective conservation of socio-ecological systems. Consequently, there have been repeated calls for a “new paradigm” for conservation that transitions from “islands” to “networks.” By extending conservation to reflect wider landscape perspectives, this approach integrates community development and economic and quality of life interests, thereby forging productive relationships between protected areas and their regional context. This broadened agenda involves many more landowners, organizations, and levels of government and requires coordination, partnerships, and new forms of governance. Drawing from nearly a decade of research, this contribution examines US experience with this new paradigm for conservation and models of network governance. The findings from this research program indicate that three key dimensions are fundamental to governance: engaging a diversity of stakeholders and building consensus, creating and sustaining ongoing networks of partners, and developing a central hub for the network. This central coordinating and facilitating function appears to be an essential governance element as it is the activity of these networks of private and public partners that deliver accomplishments. This contribution suggests that despite their challenges, networked-based models can strengthen social capital at regional levels, thereby increasing capacity for innovation, adaptation, and resiliency.

American Anthropologist, 2006

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina drew attention to commonplace landscape markers that create fo... more The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina drew attention to commonplace landscape markers that create for a community a sense of place-that connection between people and places crucial to a sense of corporate and individual identity and heritage. There is a legal context for sense of place within extant federal preservation legislation. Nevertheless, many such markers with special meanings for residents have been overlooked in federal documentation, the cornerstone of which is the National Register of Historic Places. Grassroots efforts and national media coverage have helped forge a niche for sense of place within the recovery plans and policy emerging in the affected region. However, it is unclear whether this will carry over into practice. In terms of long-term policy shifts, remedying the shortcomings highlighted by Katrina may require changes to the National Historic Preservation Act and its associated guidelines and regulations, or it may entail a new approach altogether.