Observatory 2.0.pdf (original) (raw)
This introduction addresses some of the topics currently debated in landscape affairs. In the fi rst chapter I opt for a terminological defi nition of “environment” as the processual / scientifi c aspects of an area whereas “landscape” may be used in post-processual / phenomenological approaches, which is in accordance with the use of many studies in recent years. The term “nature” on the other hand is an analytical category to signify an area without human impact and therefore only existent as an imagined reality. Moreover, this idea of nature fulfils social demands as it stabilizes society by providing the imagined possibility of a counter-life. Archaeology, however, is not the only discipline to deal with landscape affairs. The term “landscape” is used by many disciplines providing a chance and threat alike to interdisciplinary cooperation. In practice the use of landscapes has to be negotiated between many social groups from academia as well as from other fields of society. This may result in different approaches to and interpretations of archaeological landscapes. In heritage management, alliances with tourism and environmental protection for example are in danger to subordinate archaeological / historical aims to values of other actors. In this respect, the European Landscape Convention provides a useful basis for further action as it offers an integrative and multifocal approach.
The Representation of the Landscape as Construction of Knowledge
P. Clini, A. Galli, R. Quattrini (Eds.). Landscape & Archeology
The study of landscape, understood as an interaction of historical settlement systems with that environmental naturalistic system, requires the identification and recognition of the values that characterize it. The present study is founded on a methodological approach based on the documentation and the critical analysis of the values of settlement systems and architectural heritage. Through critical thematic investigations, the territory is read in order to highlight the value systems related to each other. The purpose concerns the construction of a complex system aimed at knowledge and representation of the landscape and its values. From instrumental point of view, a territorial information system has been developed. With relation to this, there is the issue of the definition of complex databases, useful tools for documentation and analysis of the heritage.
(co-author, 2017) Landscape Maps: Knowledge and Management Tools for Cultural Heritage
Ecomuseums and cultural landscapes. State of the art and future prospects
Colombo, Cristina F., Paola Branduini and Raffaella Laviscio. 2017. “Landscape Maps: Knowledge and Management Tools for the Cultural Heritage.” In Ecomuseums and cultural landscapes. State of the art and future prospects, edited by Raffaella Riva, 252-260. Sant’Arcangelo di Romagna: Maggioli Editore. ISBN 9788891624956 (print) / ISBN 9788891624963 (e-book) The complexity of the landscape lies in the sedimentation of all the transformations that occurred over time and their related sensory and social perceptions: it is often difficult for a wide audience to full understand its intricacy and multi-layered nature, though it unconsciously senses its value and appreciates its aspect. What we observe in a landscape is not always easy to connect to the changes undergone over the years, to their historical significance, and the visual, spatial, functional and symbolic relationships that link together its constituent elements. Nonetheless, it is hard to realise the real intentions of the people that determined it. The “landscape map” is defined in the Italian ecomuseums strategy document as an opportunity to create “cultural facts” transposed in the territory and made accessible to all, and it is often adopted by museums and ecomuseums. The landscape map is more and more frequently interpreted as a decoding tool of the landscape complexity, and an instrument of knowledge able to perform, beyond a tourist-recreational function, a cultural purpose; it can be also a means for unveiling the system of elements, meanings and values ascribed and attributed to the landscapes in which we dwell. It is, therefore, a consciousness-raising tool for both the proponents and the users, and a motive for safeguard actions towards even minor landscape assets, whose significance is enhanced by the inclusion in a larger and recognized system. The paper illustrates, through a selection of research and design experiences, solutions developed for a simple and effective communication, and the transmission of the peculiar cultural contents of a place. Moreover, it investigates the dynamics of the construction of territorial maps, graphic rendering experimentations, the spreading channels and the territorial impact; the case studies presented are projects conducted by the authors as members of a research team at the Politecnico di Milano. * La complessità del paesaggio, sedimentazione delle trasformazioni avvenute nel tempo e delle relative percezioni sensoriali e sociali, rende spesso difficile la comprensione della sua stratificazione ad un pubblico vasto che pure lo fruisce in maniera talvolta inconsapevole. Ciò che si osserva in un paesaggio non è sempre facilmente collegabile alle trasformazioni che esso ha subito nel tempo, ai suoi significati storici, alle relazioni visive, spaziali, funzionali e simboliche che legano gli elementi tra loro, alle intenzioni che lo hanno prodotto ed al suo “funzionamento”, storico e contemporaneo. La “mappa di paesaggio”, definita nel documento strategico italiano sugli ecomusei come opportunità per creare “fatti culturali” trasposti sul territorio e resi accessibili a tutti, e che spesso accompagna istituzioni museali ed eco-museali, è sempre più frequentemente, strumento di decodifica di tale complessità, mezzo di conoscenza in grado di assolvere, assieme alla funzione turistico-ricreativa, una funzione culturale, di svelamento di quel sistema di elementi, significati e valori attribuiti e ascrivibili ai paesaggi che viviamo. È spesso, quindi, strumento di sensibilizzazione sia dei proponenti che degli utenti finali e mezzo in grado di innescare azioni di salvaguardia nei confronti di beni paesaggistici, anche minori, il cui significato è valorizzato dall’appartenenza ad un sistema più ampio e riconosciuto. Il contributo illustra, attraverso alcune esperienze di ricerca e progetto, le modalità messe in campo per una comunicazione e trasmissione semplice ed efficace dei contenuti culturali di un luogo. Indaga, inoltre, le dinamiche di costruzione, le sperimentazioni grafiche, i canali di diffusione e l’impatto territoriale delle mappe; i casi studio presentati sono progetti condotti dagli autori in qualità di membri di gruppi di ricerca del Politecnico di Milano. Language: English
Landscape as a Connection – Beyond Boundaries
2013
This research deals with several problems of the contemporary city – problem of administrative boundaries and relationship between the city and its public spaces.1 Cities are ever increasing, often uncontrolled and rarely planned as a whole, almost always without thinking about city’s identity. Furthermore the problem of boundaries in general is evident in the periphery which is undeveloped edge of the city. In Croatia boundaries are an obstacle to urban planning, they make it difficult to overview the entire space of the city because its illogical divisions. What is an urban landscape and how it can contribute to development of the new image of the 21st century city is a current theme of planning (eg. Grand Paris considerations). At the Faculty of Zagreb cities from different regions are being researched through a series of workshops in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism. The aim is to reject administrative boundaries in order to create new area of a city based on the landscape. W...