Wall, Edward Duncan (2017) Landscape and Agency - Multi-component item. Routledge, Oxon.

PDF (Multicomponent Output - edited book, chapter, conference, article, symposium, talks) 28100 WALL_Landscape_And_Agency_(Portfolio)_2017.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (7MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Landscape and Agency explores how landscape, as an idea, a visual medium and a design practice, is organized, appropriated and framed in the transformation of places, from the local to the global. It highlights how the development of the idea of agency in landscape theory and practice can fundamentally change our engagement with future landscapes. Including a wide range of international contributions, each illustrated chapter investigates the many ways in which the relationship between the ideas and practices of landscape, and social and subjective formations and material processes, are invested with agency. They critically examine the role of landscape in processes of contemporary urban development, environmental debate and political agendas and explore how these relations can be analysed and rethought through a dialogue between theory and practice.

Summary of related components (in date order) detailed below:
[1] Conference: International, interdisciplinary, cross-institutional
[2] Edited book
a. Book introduction
b. Book chapter
[3] Journal essay from conference presentation
[4] International lectures
[5] Symposium: International, interdisciplinary, cross-institutional

Originality
The ‘agency’ of landscape is of great interest to the diverse fields of landscape ecology, landscape architecture, landscape urbanism and environmental studies. Developed in parallel with discourses of ‘landscape justice’ and ‘rights to landscape’ the agency afforded to people and non-human actors is of concern to environmental studies, urban development and land rights discourses. Here the author collaborates with individuals across architecture, sociology, art and ecology to critically reflect on prevailing practices and relations of landscape (such as urbanization, climate crisis, urban inequity). This original critique (in the first conference and edited book) is coupled with unique approaches to landscape practice (developed in the edited book and furthered in the symposium). Furthermore, within this research the author develops the term ‘post-landscapes’ as a means to anticipate new ‘other landscapes’ beyond those bound up with past social and economic systems.

Rigour
The research explores the legal, theoretical and practices of landscape (defined as the interrela¬tions between people and land) through questioning and speculating on their capacity for action and change. Involving researchers and practitioners across diverse disciplines, institutions and continents the discourse has achieved a strong intellectual coherence. Developing the discourse through multiple events and publications has furthered the integrity of the outputs.

Significance
The author has been invited to write an article for the journal of the Landscape Institute (over 6000 readership) about the concept of ‘post-landscapes’. The author has also been invited to present the research internationally, including keynote lecture at IALE (International Association of Landscape Ecologists) (2019); Columbia University (2019) and University of Greenwich (2015). Both the conference and the symposium were sold-out events with the latter also broadcast on YouTube with over 2000 views (as of 27 April 2020).

Item Type:	Other
Uncontrolled Keywords:	landscape, urbanism, architecture, agency, ecology, politics, cities, design
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Design (DES)
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 23:13
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/28100

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