Landscapes for tomorrow

O'Riordan, Timothy; Wood, Christopher; Shadrake, Ann

Landscapes for tomorrow

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

O'Riordan, Timothy

Wood, Christopher

Shadrake, Ann

Date published

January 1993

Abstract

Seven different landscapes that might realistically represent the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the lifetime of the present generation were created out of detailed interviews with policy managers,landowners and farmers. These landscapes were imaged in the form of water colour paintings, then incorporated with appropriate explanatory commentary into a large graphic display, a video sequence, a floor game and a leaflet. The interpretive material was taken to the public as a touring exhibition, travelling around the National Park over two consecutive summers. The exhibition was designed to be participatory: Its purpose to discover how far people could grasp the processes leading to landscape change, become aware of why these forces were happening and become sufficiently concerned for the future to participate in the creation of landscape design of their choice. The results revealed that the approach experimented with was successful in meeting its aims, that those less conversant with the issues were more influenced than those already familiar with some of the causes of change and that participatory interpretation can be a highly educative and enjoyable experience.