Hans Renes
Utrecht University, Human Geography and Planning, Department Member
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The fishing villages on the coast of Holland Very little systematic research has been done in the early history of fishing villages on the Dutch coast. In 2001, the English historical-geographer Harold Fox designed a model for the origin... more
The fishing villages on the coast of Holland Very little systematic research has been done in the early history of fishing villages on the Dutch coast. In 2001, the English historical-geographer Harold Fox designed a model for the origin of the fishing villages on the coast of Devon. In this model, he describes an original situation in which farmers in inland villages were also part-time fisherman and owned a boat and a boatshed on the beach. Population growth led to labour division and to the emergence of specialised fishing villages. The two most probable periods in which this development took place were the 12th to early 14th centuries and the 16th century. The available data for the coast of the county of Holland point to the first of those periods. Place-names relate the fishing villages to the inland agrarian villages: Egmond aan Zee (‘Egmond at Sea’) exists beside Egmond-Binnen, Wijk aan Zee beside Beverwijk and Katwijk aan Zee beside Katwijk aan de Rijn etc. It is improbable...
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Beer has become a driver of urban regeneration worldwide. In particular, breweries have become symbolic when physically transforming former industrial areas. Beer festivals, visitor centres created by major breweries and the popularity of... more
Beer has become a driver of urban regeneration worldwide. In particular, breweries have become symbolic when physically transforming former industrial areas. Beer festivals, visitor centres created by major breweries and the popularity of the craft breweries and brewpubs each contribute to the growth of beer tourism. Meanwhile, adaptive reuse of former industrial breweries brings new life to former industrial spaces. This chapter focuses on the ways in which Tsingtao beer influences regeneration of Qingdao, China and this work frames these developments in the broader perspective of beer-led urban regeneration.
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It is almost 50 years now since Dr J.K. de Cock (1918-1991) published his dissertation on the historical geography of Kennemerland. This book still counts as a standard work on the history of the settlements in the coastal region of... more
It is almost 50 years now since Dr J.K. de Cock (1918-1991) published his dissertation on the historical geography of Kennemerland. This book still counts as a standard work on the history of the settlements in the coastal region of Holland. De Cock described settlements comprising a loose group of farms around an oval open field – a shape that was derived from the shape of elongated ‘geests’, ridges of the so-called old dunes. This work still is the basis for studies on settlement morphology. Small settlements of non-agrarian parts of the population developed around churches and chapels. During recent decades, archaeological research has made clear that this type of settlement may date back to the High Middle Ages, but differs from an earlier pattern of settlement of a more scattered and dynamic character. This article, based on a symposium in 2013, summarizes the present state of knowledge. It includes a new map of ‘geest’ settlements. A short biography of Dr De Cock is added as well.
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In 1984, the historical-geographer Arthur Steegh (1946-2005) drew a fictive map that included most landscape types of the Netherlands. The map could be used to simulate the effects of planning procedures on landscapes and was part of a... more
In 1984, the historical-geographer Arthur Steegh (1946-2005) drew a fictive map that included most landscape types of the Netherlands. The map could be used to simulate the effects of planning procedures on landscapes and was part of a report on the use of landscape data in Environmental Impact Assessments. Steegh situated his map in the municipality of Juinen, which was the – again fictive – location for a popular satirical programme on Dutch television.
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Hoewel er veel kritiek mogelijk is op de vertraagde uit-voering en de invulling ervan, mogen we de EHS als een succes beschouwen. Op dit moment is het echter vooral het landschap dat om aandacht vraagt. De discussie over de... more
Hoewel er veel kritiek mogelijk is op de vertraagde uit-voering en de invulling ervan, mogen we de EHS als een succes beschouwen. Op dit moment is het echter vooral het landschap dat om aandacht vraagt. De discussie over de 'verrommeling' is de laatste jaren hoog ...
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“Het moet in aesthetisch en wetenschappelijk opzicht van belang worden geacht, dat het Eerder Achterbroek als voldoende omvangrijk voorbeeld van een oud Saksisch hoevenlandschap behouden blijft”, zo schreef de bekende ecoloog Victor... more
“Het moet in aesthetisch en wetenschappelijk opzicht van belang worden geacht, dat het Eerder Achterbroek als voldoende omvangrijk voorbeeld van een oud Saksisch hoevenlandschap behouden blijft”, zo schreef de bekende ecoloog Victor Westhoff in 1948 nadat hij het gebied ten zuiden van Ommen op een regenachtige dag had bezocht. Westhoff bracht zijn bezoek in opdracht van de Vereniging tot Behoud van Natuurmonumenten in Nederland (kortweg ‘Natuurmonumenten’), die overwoog het gebied te kopen. Westhoff adviseerde positief en vervolgens werd het Eerder Achterbroek het eerste beschermde ‘boerenlandschap’ in Nederland. In zijn verslag beschrijft Westhoff het Eerder Achterbroek als een mooi voorbeeld van een kleinschalig cultuurlandschap. Dat is het tegenwoordig nog steeds. Maar was het Eerder Achterbroek in 1948 nog een van de vele voorbeelden, heden ten dage is het vrijwel uniek. Dat komt doordat de meeste andere kleinschalige landschappen in de afgelopen halve eeuw zijn gemoderniseerd en veel grootschaliger zijn geworden. Dat het landschap in het Eerder Achterbroek behouden is gebleven, komt vooral door het conservatieve beheer dat hier in de afgelopen eeuw is gevoerd, eerst door de adellijke eigenaren van het landgoed Eerde en vanaf 1949 door Natuurmonumenten. De auteurs van dit artikel vroegen zich af hoe Natuurmonumenten sinds 1949 met dit beschermde landschap is omgegaan, welke problemen daarbij opdoemden en welke keuzen zijn gemaakt. Op de achtergrond speelt nog een andere vraag, namelijk hoe bijzonder dit landschap in 1949 was. Was het Eerder Achterbroek inderdaad een fraai voorbeeld van een ‘oud Saksisch hoevenlandschap’? Of was het door de activiteiten van de vroegere adellijke grondbezitters, met name van de laatste baron Philip Dirk van Pallandt, al ‘anders’? En, als we het nog iets breder bekijken, hoe groot was de invloed van individuen op dat beheer? In de afgelopen jaren hebben wij samen met anderen de recente geschiedenis van het Eerder Achterbroek uitgezocht. Dat leverde interessante resultaten op, die ook onze ideeen over andere landschappen in Oost-Nederland hebben veranderd. Ons onderzoek past in een nieuwe richting in het onderzoek naar historische landschappen, waarin de invloed van individuele personen op het landschap meer aandacht krijgt. Dit is weliswaar al vanouds gebruikelijk in de bestudering van de geschiedenis van tuinen en parken, maar wie boeken of artikelen leest over agrarische landschappen zal het opvallen dat die landschappen meestal worden beschreven als het resultaat van anonieme factoren zoals de bodemgesteldheid of de economische conjunctuur. Hoewel sommige onderzoekers al lange tijd aandringen op meer aandacht voor de invloed van individuen, stuit dat in de praktijk vaak op gebrek aan schriftelijke bronnen. In het Eerder Achterbroek konden we door een combinatie van onderzoeksmethoden voor de laatste eeuw een beeld opbouwen van de invloed van afzonderlijke eigenaren en beheerders. In dit artikel geven we eerst het ruimere kader van de bescherming van natuur en landschap in Nederland. Vervolgens bekijken we de ontwikkelingen in het Eerder Achterbroek in de afgelopen eeuw. Aan het eind plaatsen we het gebied nog eens in een ruimer verband.
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Heggen, houtwallen en stenen muurtjes behoren tot de meest bepalende onderdelen van het Europese landschap. Toch is nog veel onbekend, zoals tijdens het schrijven van deze bijdrage weer eens bleek. Het is bijvoorbeeld buitengewoon... more
Heggen, houtwallen en stenen muurtjes behoren tot de meest bepalende onderdelen van het Europese landschap. Toch is nog veel onbekend, zoals tijdens het schrijven van deze bijdrage weer eens bleek. Het is bijvoorbeeld buitengewoon moeilijk om een beeld te krijgen van de verbreiding van open en besloten landschappen en nog moeilijker is het om gegevens te vinden over de afzonderlijke typen.
Istanbul is een wereldstad met ongeveer evenveel inwoners als Nederland. Het is een steeds belangrijker toeristische bestemming en was in 2010 een van de Culturele Hoofdsteden van Europa. In deze Geografi e starten we een korte serie over... more
Istanbul is een wereldstad met ongeveer evenveel inwoners als Nederland. Het is een steeds belangrijker toeristische bestemming en was in 2010 een van de Culturele Hoofdsteden van Europa. In deze Geografi e starten we een korte serie over de stadsvernieuwing in Istanbul. Hans Renes schrijft over de metamorfoses die de stad door de eeuwen heen meemaakte. Daarna meer over de gentrifi catieprocessen sinds de jaren 70.
Research Interests: Humanities and Geografie
Van ecologennatuur naar het midden van de samenleving. Zo omschrijft Hans Renes de koers die Natuurmonumenten heeft ingeslagen met de nieuwe visie. Zijn vraag is wel hoeveel ruimte de beheerder durft te geven aan bewonersparticipatie.
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'De westelijke veenweiden vormen het meest typische Nederlandse landschap dat er is.' Zo begon het rapport ‘Waarheen met het veen’ (Woestenburg, 2009, p. 9). Over dat landschap hebben we in de voorgaande bijdragen al veel kunnen... more
'De westelijke veenweiden vormen het meest typische Nederlandse landschap dat er is.' Zo begon het rapport ‘Waarheen met het veen’ (Woestenburg, 2009, p. 9). Over dat landschap hebben we in de voorgaande bijdragen al veel kunnen lezen. Aan het eind van deze bundel wil ik proberen nog een paar lange lijnen te trekken door de ruimte en de tijd. Daarbij begin ik met een paar lijnen door de tijd, waarbij ook de ruimtelijke variatie aan bod komt. Vervolgens trek ik de lijn door naar het heden en zal ik iets zeggen over de waarde van de historische veenlandschappen. Tenslotte trek ik de lijn door naar de toekomst en zal ik de vraag stellen – maar niet echt beantwoorden – hoe het nu verder moet. Bij elk van die lijnen zal ik de invalshoek van een historisch-geograaf kiezen en de nadruk leggen op het veenweidegebied als historisch cultuurlandschap.
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Vrijwel iedere bezoeker van de Kaartenzaal heeft wel eens naar de ingelijste kaart van de Slaperdijk bij Veenendaal gekeken (afbeelding 1). Het is een gedrukte kaart, die eerst met de hand is ingekleurd en vervolgens door generaties... more
Vrijwel iedere bezoeker van de Kaartenzaal heeft wel eens naar de ingelijste kaart van de Slaperdijk bij Veenendaal gekeken (afbeelding 1). Het is een gedrukte kaart, die eerst met de hand is ingekleurd en vervolgens door generaties rokende medewerkers en bezoekers van een geel waas is voorzien. Zo misplaatst was dat laatste niet eens: Veenendaal was immers eeuwenlang een centrum van de teelt en verwerking van tabak…
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Research Interests: Geography, Agricultural Development, Cold War, Environmental Management, Economic Development, and 15 moreEconomic integration, Animal Husbandry, Bronze Age, Cultural Landscape, Coal Mining, Economic Crisis, Case Study, Drinking Water, Carrying Capacity, Human Activity, Crop Rotation, FARMING SYSTEM, Forest Plantation, Driving force, and Centre of Gravity
Abstract Islands are interesting subjects for study, with their frequent fluctuations in population size and economic activities, and their propensity for being at once both isolated from and dependent on the outside world. They are often... more
Abstract Islands are interesting subjects for study, with their frequent fluctuations in population size and economic activities, and their propensity for being at once both isolated from and dependent on the outside world. They are often seen as metaphors – for human societies faced with environmental dangers and limitations, and (on a larger scale) for the world as a whole. Using examples from different parts of Europe, and with a focus on the Wadden Sea, this article analyses the specific ‘island-ness’ of their landscapes’ character. In periods of population pressure, islandscapes developed into ‘pressure-cooker’ landscapes, with very intensive agriculture and extremely small-scale field patterns. In these situations, the sea acted as a safety valve: many islands typically show mixed economies of agriculture combined with shipping or fishing. In other periods, migration led to much lower population numbers, and some islands even became unpopulated. In the present phase of globalisation, many have ceased their agricultural activities, but others manage to continue cultivation by specialising in specific crops, and yet another group now use their landscapes for that other major global industry, tourism, very often capitalising on their ‘heritage landscape’ character that is a result of the alternating periods of activity (creation) and stagnation or desertion (preservation) that appear to be characteristic of islands in the first place.
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Page 1. Op zoek naar de geschiedenis van het landschap Hans Renes Handleiding voor onderzoek naar onze historische omgeving Page 2. Op zoek naar de geschiedenis van het landschap Page 3. Op zoek naar ... reeks 1. Kees van der Wiel, Op... more
Page 1. Op zoek naar de geschiedenis van het landschap Hans Renes Handleiding voor onderzoek naar onze historische omgeving Page 2. Op zoek naar de geschiedenis van het landschap Page 3. Op zoek naar ... reeks 1. Kees van der Wiel, Op zoek naar huis, straat of buurt ...
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Publikationsansicht. 59594004. Landschap in de EHS; EHS in het landschap. (2006). Renes, J. Details der Publikation. Archiv, DSpace at Utrecht University (Netherlands). Keywords, Sociale Geografie en Planologie. Typ, Article.... more
Publikationsansicht. 59594004. Landschap in de EHS; EHS in het landschap. (2006). Renes, J. Details der Publikation. Archiv, DSpace at Utrecht University (Netherlands). Keywords, Sociale Geografie en Planologie. Typ, Article. Verknüpfungen, 0169-6300. ...
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ABSTRACT Landscape history is still mainly studied in local or regional projects and within national research traditions. However, an international perspective becomes ever more necessary, not just for scientific reasons, but also in the... more
ABSTRACT Landscape history is still mainly studied in local or regional projects and within national research traditions. However, an international perspective becomes ever more necessary, not just for scientific reasons, but also in the light of the increasing internationalisation of landscape politics; see for example the European Landscape Convention. The present article willfocus on one particular type of landscape: the open fields, the grain-growing landscapes that were the backbone of medieval European agriculture. The landscape of open fields can (or at least could) be found over large parts of Europe in regions with very different legal and organisational structures, soil conditions and agricultural systems. Some of the lengthiest and most thorough discussions in landscape history were on the origin of the open fields. The present article stresses the necessity to treat the different components of open fields (land use, landownership, agrarian techniques) separately. Many of the explanations offered are based on research in limited areas. An international perspective is helpful by putting local developments into a broader perspective. Since the Late Middle Ages, the open field landscapes have moved north-eastwards, following the moving geography of grain cultivation. Whereas open fields gradually disappeared through enclosure in Britain, Scandinavia and other regions, elsewhere, especially in the Eastern Baltic, new open fields were being developed during the sixteenth century. This changing geography of open fields is probably related to changes in the European economy, in which the regional markets for grain gave way to a pan- European market during the sixteenth century and to a world market in the last decades of the nineteenth century. Each phase offered new opportunities, as well as threats, to the open field regions.
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The fenlands around the north sea: landscape history and landscape research. Wetlands can be found in many coastal regions around the North Sea. Most of these consist of fenlands and, sometimes, raised peat-bogs, lying between a coastal... more
The fenlands around the north sea: landscape history and landscape research. Wetlands can be found in many coastal regions around the North Sea. Most of these consist of fenlands and, sometimes, raised peat-bogs, lying between a coastal barrier (dunes or marshes) and the higher grounds further inland. The development of these wetlands has been studied in the Low Countries, Germany and the UK, but it proves difficult to combine the different results of these studies into one synthesis. Especially the continental and the British studies have different research questions and research traditions. In this article, it is argued that these differences are partly due to differences in the history of the landscape itself.
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Historical transformations of agricultural landscapes in Europe. The agricultural landscapes of Europe vary greatly and are the result of complex historical processes. More insight into these histories is necessary in the light of... more
Historical transformations of agricultural landscapes in Europe. The agricultural landscapes of Europe vary greatly and are the result of complex historical processes. More insight into these histories is necessary in the light of forthcoming landscape transformations and increasing awareness of landscape values by the general public. Dangers are [1] the simplistic and historically inaccurate distinction between heritage landscapes and modernised landscapes and [2] the fragmentation of European historic landscape studies into numerous local case studies. The author of the present article argues in favour of a systematic approach, in which local case studies are integrated by classifying them in models on the basis of demographic and economic tides, stages in economic integration and Von Thünen-like geographical patterns.
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New nature in an old landscape. During the 1990s, growing areas have been taken out of agricultural production, to be converted into semi-natural systems (‘new nature’). Although this process enlarged the ecological values of landscapes,... more
New nature in an old landscape. During the 1990s, growing areas have been taken out of agricultural production, to be converted into semi-natural systems (‘new nature’). Although this process enlarged the ecological values of landscapes, it can work negative on the historic landscape values of the cultural landscape in three ways. Firstly, sometimes the land is intensively redeveloped to maximize ecological potential, which can cause a loss of landscape features. Secondly, much of the new nature is financed by extensive excavation of gravel, sand or clay, thereby destroying the historic landscape. Thirdly, new nature is often part of a deal, in which agriculture gives up marginal lands, but in turn claims the right to intensify further (with a loss of landscape features as a result) on neighboring lands. During the last decade, these problems have been most obvious in the riverine region of the Central-Netherlands. The author urges for more cooperation between ecologists and landscape historians in the planning of new nature.
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Stiboka presentatie van 6 proefbladen van de Historisch-landschappelijke kaart van Nederland en een speciaal ontwikkelde legenda. Samen met een toelichting, waarin een beeld wordt gegeven van de historische ontwikkeling van het... more
Stiboka presentatie van 6 proefbladen van de Historisch-landschappelijke kaart van Nederland en een speciaal ontwikkelde legenda. Samen met een toelichting, waarin een beeld wordt gegeven van de historische ontwikkeling van het cultuurlandschap en van de elementen en structuren die uit historisch oogpunt waardevol kunnen worden geacht
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Giving the Hedwigepolder 'back to nature'? History and heritage of a 'young' landscape. Under the title 'Landscapes in the News', the... more
Giving the Hedwigepolder 'back to nature'? History and heritage of a 'young' landscape. Under the title 'Landscapes in the News', the Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift wants to present data on the history and heritage of landscapes that are under threat. The present article describes the efforts to compensate the loss of ecological values in the Westerschelde estuary, that is being deepened to allow the ever larger containerships to reach the harbour of Antwerp. One of the proposals is to 'de-polderise' (or, as ecologists say: 'to give back to nature') the Hedwigepolder, a polder that was diked and reclaimed between 1904 and 1907. This article concludes not only that the present landscape has some heritage values, as a little changed early 20th-century reclamation with a layout that shows a remarkable mixture of agricultural and hunting interests. More important, the seemingly young landscape hides a complex layered landscape: under the present surface traces are hidden of an earlier short-lived 17th-century reclamation, of a medieval fenland landscape that was settled and reclaimed from the 10th-centurr onwards but was lost by 16th-century floodings and, deep below the surface, of a sandy landscape that was used by Mesolithic and Neolithic peoples.
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Op haar website presenteert de provincie Flevoland zich als volgt aan bezoekers: “Ingenieur Cornelis Lely maakte zich in 1891 onsterfelijk met zijn plannen voor inpoldering van de toenmalige Zuiderzee. Duizenden arbeiders begonnen aan het... more
Op haar website presenteert de provincie Flevoland zich als volgt aan bezoekers: “Ingenieur Cornelis Lely maakte zich in 1891 onsterfelijk met zijn plannen voor inpoldering van de toenmalige Zuiderzee. Duizenden arbeiders begonnen aan het zware handwerk. Het noordoostelijke deel van Flevoland, de Noordoostpolder, was als eerste aan de beurt. Het water week uiteindelijk in 1942. Het zuidelijk deel, de Flevopolder, het grootste kunstmatige eiland ter wereld, viel in 1957 en in 1968 droog. Op 1 januari 1986 werd Flevoland officieel de nieuwste en 12e provincie van Nederland”.1 De website van het Nieuw Land Erfgoedcentrum valt met de deur in huis: “de grootste polder ter wereld”.2 Het beeld is duidelijk: hier ligt onze nationale trots, nieuw land dat door mensen, in het bijzonder door Nederlanders, is gemaakt. Maar is dat wel het hele verhaal? En was er dan tevoren helemaal niets? In dit essay blijkt het IJsselmeergebied een gelaagd landschap met een lange en complexe geschiedenis.
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Graaf, A. de, G.J. Hospers, M. Péro, H. Renes, E. Stegmeijer & F. Strolenberg (P.P. Witsen, ed.) (2014). Attract and connect; population decline and [the] heritage in Europe, with practical examples from Germany, the UK, France and... more
Graaf, A. de, G.J. Hospers, M. Péro, H. Renes, E. Stegmeijer & F. Strolenberg (P.P. Witsen, ed.) (2014). Attract and connect; population decline and [the] heritage in Europe, with practical examples from Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands. Cultural Heritage Agency, Amersfoort [Webpublicatione]. Avec Résumé en français.
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[Summary: Open field landscapes in Europe] The open, grain-producing arable fields are among the most characteristic historic landscapes of Europe. They experience strong growth from the 9th or 10th century onwards, to reach their highest... more
[Summary: Open field landscapes in Europe] The open, grain-producing arable fields are among the most characteristic historic landscapes of Europe. They experience strong growth from the 9th or 10th century onwards, to reach their highest extension in the early 14th century. In the core regions of central England and northern France, Central Europe and southern Scandinavia, they were highly organised, with three-field rotations operated at the level of the village. Elsewhere, however, the management of open fields organised on a much more individual basis. The 14th-century population decline was the first step in a series of reorganisations of the European agrarian landscape. In England it marked the start of a conversion from open arable fields to sheep pasture (an aspect of the so-called enclosure) that continued in later centuries. Open fields declined in Central Europe too, but the core region continued to produce grain. The Early Modern period brought further changes, when ever more agricultural regions became part of a European economic system that was organised around an economic core in north-western Europe. Again some regions turned from arable or mixed farming towards specialisation on animal husbandry or specialised crops (wine, hops, etc.). Grain production moved further east, with new (partly planned) open fields developing in the eastern Baltic region. In the course of the 18th century another phase of development began, which saw the ‘modernisation’ of even more of the remaining open fields. In some regions, most clearly in Southern Scandinavia around 1800 among the collective farms of central-eastern Europe after 1945, this was systematically undertaken by national governments; elsewhere this was a more gradual or more individual process of transformation towards large-scale exploitation. The open field landscapes are an interesting part of European landscape heritage. However, as most research is carried out at a national level and often within different research traditions, instances of international comparative research are still quite rare.
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ABSTRACT
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Gorp, B. van, M. Hoff & J. Renes (eds) (2003). Dutch windows; cultural geographical essays on the Netherlands. Faculteit Ruimtelijke Wetenschappen, Utrecht
For the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE), the state of knowledge on medieval village formation in the Netherlands was investigated based on the output of a decade of ‘Malta-archaeology’. The project made clear that the huge amount of... more
For the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE), the state of knowledge on medieval village formation in the Netherlands was investigated based on the output of a decade of ‘Malta-archaeology’. The project made clear that the huge amount of development-led archaeological research has brought only limited progress on this particular theme, because of the scale of the excavations, the focus of the observations and a general lack of research frameworks at village level and regional frameworks specifically addressing village formation from which targeted research questions can be derived. In addition, very little research has been undertaken within presently inhabited villages, resulting in a major bias in the dataset towards deserted medieval settlements. To increase our understanding on village formation and the development of villages, archaeological research needs to be conducted within municipal research agendas based on an historical-geographical framework which provide specific hypotheses and questions to test and explore. Moreover, syntheses would greatly benefit from a continuity of knowledge in the region and complementary (academic) observations within existing historical villages.
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Climate change poses worldwide challenges, perhaps most in coastal areas. Governments on different scales respond with planning and policy measures, many with drastic impact. In this paper we assess the role of cultural heritage in... more
Climate change poses worldwide challenges, perhaps most in coastal areas. Governments on different scales respond with planning and policy measures, many with drastic impact. In this paper we assess the role of cultural heritage in planning for climate change on the former island Goeree-Overflakkee in the Netherlands. We do so by exploring the theoretical discourse on the nexus of climate change and heritage discourses and relating these to an analysis of mitigation and adaptation measures on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee in the Dutch river delta. It appears that the scale and political urgency of climate change induces involvement of many different governments, resulting in an inconsistent integration of cultural heritage in these plans and policies. These outcomes demonstrate that in order to integrate heritage in climate adaptation and mitigation planning, governments cannot rely on established planning traditions for other spatial challenges
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How old are our historical villages and how did they develop? Which factors contributed to their formation? And what have recent archaeological excavations contributed to our understanding of this process? The formation and development of... more
How old are our historical villages and how did they develop? Which factors contributed to their formation? And what have recent archaeological excavations contributed to our understanding of this process? The formation and development of villages is one of the current priorities on the Dutch Archaeological Research Agenda (NOaA). To increase our knowledge on the subject the National Heritage Agency (RCE) initiated the ‘Valletta Harvest’ programme, a stimulus programme aimed to assess recent data and synthesize it into new insights. This research was carried out by the department of Archaeology at the University of Amsterdam. The aim of the study was to determine what a decade of development-led archaeological (contract) research has yielded scientifically on the topic of ‘Village formation in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages (AD 800 – 1600)’. First we assessed the potential of excavated sites for synthesis (phase 1); next, relevant sites were confronted with new strands of knowledge (phase 2); and finally, we evaluated the present questions of the research agenda and made recommendations for an update (phase 3). The four case studies we analysed revealed that the processes of village formation were quite similar on an abstract level and correspond with current settlement models. At the same time, however, these cases illustrated a great variety in form and development. Comparison with villages in the wider region showed that none could be held as exemplary. This variety means that local factors and human agency played a key role in the development of our villages. Therefore, to advance our understanding of village formation, the primary aim of local and regional research at this point should be to describe and understand the socio-historical development of local villages within the wider village territory. So far, systematic archaeological research in historical villages has been rare in the Netherlands. However, our case studies illustrate the great potential of archaeological observations (even small-scale) when undertaken within a municipal research agenda based on an historical-geographical framework. This scientific report is intended for archaeologists, other professionals and enthusiasts engaged in archaeology. Through knowledge and consultancy, the Dutch National Agency for Cultural Heritage offers the future a past.
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The position of historical geography in Germany: Interview with historical geographer Winfried Schenk (University of Bonn)
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Cultural heritage and planning in The Netherlands. In the relation between cultural heritage and planning in The Netherlands, two developments are interesting. The first is a growing cooperation between heritage disciplines, in particular... more
Cultural heritage and planning in The Netherlands. In the relation between cultural heritage and planning in The Netherlands, two developments are interesting. The first is a growing cooperation between heritage disciplines, in particular archaeology, architectural history and historical geography. This cooperation partly takes place in universities, where integrated courses on cultural heritage, landscape and planning were started during the last few years. Furthermore, the national institutes for the protection of archaeological and architectural monuments (ROB and RDMZ, respectively) will merge in 2006 into a new State Service for Archaeology, Cultural Landscape and Monuments (RACM, based at Amersfoort). The author sees the cultural landscape as the ideal platform for cooperation between different disciplines within the new institute. The second development is a closer relationship between heritage specialists and planners. During the last few years cultural heritage received a growing interest from planners. In a few projects it has been possible to integrate heritage and planning in early stages of planning processes. It will be necessary for heritage specialists to develop their own ideas for the future, instead of just reacting on other’s plans.
Many former ports have been transformed into consumption spaces for the experience economy or into attractive environments for the creative class. In Europe and North America, port heritage has been a major asset in these processes,... more
Many former ports have been transformed into consumption spaces for the experience economy or into attractive environments for the creative class. In Europe and North America, port heritage has been a major asset in these processes, adding reusable buildings as well as narratives to these new developments. In Asia, similar processes are taking place, but have attracted less attention. This paper looks at heritage conservation in four Asian port cities: Macao, Hong Kong, Qingdao and Taipei. These cities share a colonial past and cultural background, but nowadays operate in different political-administrative systems and economic contexts, offering interesting opportunities for comparison. Conservation of port heritage is challenging as port buildings may lack architectural value, or prove hard to reuse for their size, lay out, or location. The limited access to port areas in the past may mean the public has little knowledge of, or connection with, this heritage. The main challenge for...
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"25 Years Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift The editors of the Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (Journal for Historical Geography) reflect on the occasion of the 25th jubilee year. The Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (HGT) was... more
"25 Years Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift The editors of the Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (Journal for Historical Geography) reflect on the occasion of the 25th jubilee year. The Historisch-Geografisch Tijdschrift (HGT) was an initiative of students' associations of both the Free University in Amsterdam and the Utrecht University. At that time a journal in the field of historical geography did not exist in the Netherlands. The first number of the new HGT journal was published in March 1983. The goal was to function as a medium for the exchange of information in the field of historical geography; the journal was meant for those involved in this discipline, but also for all others interested in the subject. The number of editors of the HGT journal has been rather restricted in the course of the past 25 years: nowadays two of the original editors are still part of the current group of seven editors. In the first period the editors also took care of a number of publishing activities, such as the layout of the journal, subscribers records and mailing activities. As far as the articles in the HGT journal are concerned, the intention was that the journal would offer a platform for the publication of articles about local and regional historical geography, as well as thematic subjects and items focussed on practise. Articles with theoretical and methodical views and results of research were welcomed as well. The editors have always aspired to keep up the scientific quality as well as the social relevance of the journal. Apart from the regular journal numbers, a number of times special editions were published about certain topics. Also the editors of the HGT journal published a few books. The best known is 'Het Nederlandse Landschap' (The Dutch Landscape) the 10th edition of which will appear a year from now. An English edition of this book will be available as well. In the course of the past 25 years a number of articles that were published in the HGT have proven to be leading in the field of historical geography. Some of these are theoretical; others are of a renewing nature in this field or can be considered to be review articles. The other parts of the journal, comprising the information section (Berichten), the survey of recent literature and the book reviews, are considered very useful. Although the journal is mostly orientated on subjects in the Netherlands, sometimes attention is paid to the historical geography in surrounding countries and information is given about congresses and conferences abroad. Since 1991 for our foreign subscribers an English summary is added to the articles. The editors have analysed the subjects covered in the articles. Vervloet also made such an analysis in 1998, after 15 editions of the journal had been published. Now the subjects covered by the articles have been categorized again, resulting in a number of findings: the variety of subjects is considerable. The quantitatively most important subject, taking up 23 %, is 'the agrarian landscape and settlements'. Then five subjects follow taking up about the same percentage. A classification of the articles according to region was drawn up as well. A highlight of the past years is the so-called Landview Award, which the editors were awarded in 1996 for their excellent work in producing this journal. The editors wish to thank all individuals and organizations involved with the HGT-journal, especially our authors as well as our publisher, the Matrijs Foundation in Utrecht, which supported us from the beginning. In the years to come the editors intend to keep up with new developments in the field of historical geography, in cooperation with other scientific disciplines. Increasing interest in the landscape and local and regional historical geography will be a stimulus for the editors to continue to produce the HGT journal in the future. "
Development of settlement and cultural landscape of the sandy areas in the Southern Netherlands with regard on settlement models.
Research Interests: Geography and Archaeology
Nature and landscape preservation in the Netherlands during the last century shows development as well as continuity. A few themes stand out. One theme is the relation between nature and landscape; the two terms have sometimes been used... more
Nature and landscape preservation in the Netherlands during the last century shows development as well as continuity. A few themes stand out. One theme is the relation between nature and landscape; the two terms have sometimes been used as synonyms, at other times as opposites. For most of the time, nature has been regarded as part of the agrarian landscape, enabling coalitions between nature and landscape conservationists. The strong emphasis in ‘real nature’ during the 1990s has been exceptional. Second, the protection of agrarian landscapes has always been difficult in the Netherlands, mainly due to the intensity of agriculture. Only in recent years has this been changing. An example is the recent designation of twenty ‘national landscapes’. Third, the chronology in the development of the heritage sector shows growth in periods of economic prosperity and stability or decline in periods of economic or political problems. Fourth, academic discussions on identity and dissonance do not seem to have any bearing on the practice of heritage management.
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Deze publicatie gaat over allerlei soorten oude wallen in het Nederlandse landschap, wallen in het boerenland en in bossen en natuurgebieden. Het is een verslag van een symposium op 6 en 7 oktober 2011 bij de RCE te Amersfoort. Doel was... more
Deze publicatie gaat over allerlei soorten oude wallen in het Nederlandse landschap, wallen in het boerenland en in bossen en natuurgebieden. Het is een verslag van een symposium op 6 en 7 oktober 2011 bij de RCE te Amersfoort. Doel was de beschikbare kennis over allerlei soorten wallen bijeen te brengen. Want oude wallen komen weliswaar op veel plaatsen voor maar de kennis er over is verspreid en versnipperd. Doel van deze publicatie is die kennis te bundelen en beschikbaar te stellen, maar ook om vragen voor verder onderzoek te formuleren. Dit kan helpen keuzes te maken die de historische wallen in het Nederlandse landschap een toekomst geven. Verantwoorde keuzes vragen immers kennis. Deze publicatie is bestemd voor landschapsonderzoekers, natuur- en landschapsbeheerders, beleidsmakers van gemeenten en provincies, en liefhebbers die geinteresseerd zijn in de geschiedenis en toekomst van onze historische landschappen. Met kennis en advies geeft de Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erf...
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Die Angewandte Historische Geographie hat seit den 1970er-Jahren einige interessante Entwicklungen durchgemacht. Deshalb gibt es viele neue Fragen und Anforderungen gegenüber neuen Methoden, wie auch insbesondere im Bereich von... more
Die Angewandte Historische Geographie hat seit den 1970er-Jahren einige interessante Entwicklungen durchgemacht. Deshalb gibt es viele neue Fragen und Anforderungen gegenüber neuen Methoden, wie auch insbesondere im Bereich von Informationssystemen. In den letzten Jahrzehnten ist in Informationssystemen über historische Kulturlandschaften viel erreicht worden. Die vorliegenden Informationen sind jedoch für andere Zeiten, mit anderen Fragen, Bedürfnissen und Methoden erstellt worden, als nun gegenwärtig benötigt werden: Informationen und deren Systeme sind „Kinder ihrer eigenen Zeit“. Deshalb sind unseres Erachtens viele Daten, die in früheren Jahren gesammelt wurden, auf die heutigen Fragen schlecht zugeschnitten. Die Kernfrage hier ist, was momentan in Änderung ist oder wie sich die nahe Zukunft ändern wird. Das ist nicht möglich ohne Einsicht in die bisherige und heutige Situation, wozu vier Perioden zu unterscheiden sind: die Periode von den 1970er- bis 1990er-Jahren, die Periode von den 1990er-Jahren bis heute, die aktuellen heutigen Entwicklungen und die Zukunft. In: 'Kulturlandschaft in der Anwendung', Bund Heimat und Umwelt in Deutschland (BHU), 2009, pp. 51-59
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At the 2018 meeting of the Permanent European Conference for the Study of the Rural Landscape (PECSRL), that took place in Clermont-Ferrand and Mende in France, the Institute for Research on European Agricultural Landscapes e.V.... more
At the 2018 meeting of the Permanent European Conference for the Study of the Rural Landscape (PECSRL), that took place in Clermont-Ferrand and Mende in France, the Institute for Research on European Agricultural Landscapes e.V. (EUCALAND) Network organized a session on traditional landscapes. Presentations included in the session discussed the concept of traditional, mostly agricultural, landscapes, their ambiguous nature and connections to contemporary landscape research and practice. Particular attention was given to the connection between traditional landscapes and regional identity, landscape transformation, landscape management, and heritage. A prominent position in the discussions was occupied by the question about the future of traditional or historical landscapes and their potential to trigger regional development. Traditional landscapes are often believed to be rather stable and slowly developing, of premodern origin, and showing unique examples of historical continuity of...
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This paper demonstrates that methodologies from various disciplines can be utilised to explain the coastal development of the southern North Sea during the last 3000 years. The potential and uses of archaeological data are tested against... more
This paper demonstrates that methodologies from various disciplines can be utilised to explain the coastal development of the southern North Sea during the last 3000 years. The potential and uses of archaeological data are tested against the applicability of delivering data for reconstructing sea level or local water level curves. Geology, archaeology, and historical geography are disciplines that assess changes in absolute and regional sea levels, deposition, subsidence, or rises in surface level. In this paper a selection of the national archaeological database (ARCHIS2) from the western Netherlands is presented as archaeological proxy data that might help reconstruct the relationship between occupational history and landscape development. The case study around Katwijk in the western Netherlands presents the known history and geology of the area, as well as the archaeological data present. Results show that data within ARCHIS2 is of too poor quality and that even with the help of excavation reports the required resolution for reconstructing local water level curves is currently not present in the recorded data. Archaeological data that has been recorded generally lacks precision in data location (x, y, and z) and generally does not have an absolute time control. The ideal database or model is the creation of a GIS (Geographic Information System) that can integrate data from the different disciplines. All data should be transparent and have a spatial and temporal resolution, so that data from different disciplines can corroborate each other. Its accuracy can then be compared so the better dataset to provide the optimal insight into landscape change associated with the sizes of coastal inlets and the local variations of tidal amplitudes.
This paper presents the outlines of a new EU-funded research program for the long-term history, present-day management and further development of the European landscapes, including their natural and cultural heritage: HERCULES. One of the... more
This paper presents the outlines of a new EU-funded research program for the long-term history, present-day management and further development of the European landscapes, including their natural and cultural heritage: HERCULES. One of the subprojects of this program (Work Package 2) links archaeological, historical and historical ecological data to the analysis of geo-information in order to develop models of long-term landscape change in three carefully chosen study regions in the Netherlands, Sweden and Estonia. This is framed theoretically by integrating insights from landscape biography, historical ecology and complex systems theory. The linking and analysis of data will be done using a Spatial Data Infrastructure and by means of dynamic modelling. 1 IntroductIon In December 2013 a new large-scale program was launched for the research, protection and management of the European cultural landscapes within EU Seventh Framework Programme: HERCULES (Sustainable Futures for Europe'...
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Tijdens de eerste Dag van het Historisch Cultuurlandschap op 17 november 2006 in Utrecht is onder meer de balans opgemaakt van de wijze waarop het historische cultuurlandschap heden ten dage verankerd is in het wetenschappelijk onderzoek,... more
Tijdens de eerste Dag van het Historisch Cultuurlandschap op 17 november 2006 in Utrecht is onder meer de balans opgemaakt van de wijze waarop het historische cultuurlandschap heden ten dage verankerd is in het wetenschappelijk onderzoek, het beleid en het onderwijs in Nederland. Deze bijdrage is een geactualiseerde versie van de voordracht die de auteurs op die middag over dit onderwerp presenteerden. Na een korte terugblik op de ontwikkeling van de historische geografie in de afgelopen eeuw in ons land en de actuele situatie in aangrenzende landen, wordt eerst een overzicht gegeven van de wijze waarop historische geografie in ons land momenteel organisatorisch is ingebed. Vervolgens wordt een meer gedetailleerd beeld geschetst van de huidige stand van het wetenschappelijk onderzoek, de toepassing van historisch-geografische kennis in het beleid en het hoger onderwijs op het gebied van de opbouw, de geschiedenis en het erfgoed van de historische cultuurlandschappen in ons land.
Research Interests: Art and Political Science
lexicon van landschapselementen. Zie ook de latere website met die naam: www.leestekensvanhetlandschap.nl
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T he following glossary of terms related to the European agricultural landscape shall serve as a common basis for all parties, working in or on agricultural landscapes. Some of the terms are quite common and sometimes used in our every... more
T he following glossary of terms related to the European agricultural landscape shall serve as a common basis for all parties, working in or on agricultural landscapes. Some of the terms are quite common and sometimes used in our every day language, but they often have different meanings in particular countries. These differences may be a result of varying linguistic developments, history and traditions. The glossary contains 40 terms in seven languages; English, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Hungarian, and Spanish. Each term begins with an English definition, illustrated by a photograph. If there are differences in meanings and connotations of single countries, they are mentioned in the designated country’s column. This work is to be continued.
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In the western section of the town of Utrecht, the Netherlands, 30000 houses have been planned within a region that, almost 2000 years ago, was part of the frontier (the “Limes”) of the Roman Empire. Much effort is being put into the... more
In the western section of the town of Utrecht, the Netherlands, 30000 houses have been planned within a region that, almost 2000 years ago, was part of the frontier (the “Limes”) of the Roman Empire. Much effort is being put into the excavation and identification of parts of the buildings, roads and other objects belonging to the Limes. At the same time, in the south-eastern corner of the Netherlands, near the city of Maastricht, archaeologists, historical geographers and planners are discussing ways to visualise the long-lost Roman road from Boulogne to Cologne. Both projects take place in multi-layered historic landscapes that are characterised by medieval and more recent structures. The emphasis on Roman structures that have almost completely vanished underlines the continuing interest in the Roman Period. The present article shows that this fascination with the Romans has a long history and has influenced the cultural landscape during different periods.
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Deze publicatie gaat over allerlei soorten oude wallen in het Nederlandse landschap, wallen in het boerenland en in bossen en natuurgebieden. Het is een verslag van een symposium op 6 en 7 oktober 2011 bij de RCE te Amersfoort. Doel was... more
Deze publicatie gaat over allerlei soorten oude wallen in het Nederlandse landschap, wallen in het boerenland en in bossen en natuurgebieden. Het is een verslag van een symposium op 6 en 7 oktober 2011 bij de RCE te Amersfoort. Doel was de beschikbare kennis over allerlei soorten wallen bijeen te brengen. Want oude wallen komen weliswaar op veel plaatsen voor maar de kennis er over is verspreid en versnipperd. Doel van deze publicatie is die kennis te bundelen en beschikbaar te stellen, maar ook om vragen voor verder onderzoek te formuleren. Dit kan helpen keuzes te maken die de historische wallen in het Nederlandse landschap een toekomst geven. Verantwoorde keuzes vragen immers kennis. Deze publicatie is bestemd voor landschapsonderzoekers, natuur- en landschapsbeheerders, beleidsmakers van gemeenten en provincies, en liefhebbers die geinteresseerd zijn in de geschiedenis en toekomst van onze historische landschappen. Met kennis en advies geeft de Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed de toekomst een verleden.
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Janssen, J., E. Luiten, H. Renes, J. Rouwendal, O. Faber, C.-J. Pen & E. Stegmeijer (red. P.P. Witsen) (2014). Character Sketches; National Heritage and Spatial Development Research Agenda; Part 1 Research Agenda. Netwerk Erfgoed... more
Janssen, J., E. Luiten, H. Renes, J. Rouwendal, O. Faber, C.-J. Pen & E. Stegmeijer (red. P.P. Witsen) (2014). Character Sketches; National Heritage and Spatial Development Research Agenda; Part 1 Research Agenda. Netwerk Erfgoed & Ruimte / Cultural Heritage Agency, Amersfoort.
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In de hedendaagse erfgoedzorg zijn economisch belang, culturele waarde en sociale vitaliteit onlosmakelijk met elkaar verbonden. Cultuurhistorische belangen spelen een veel grotere rol in ruimtelijke ontwikkeling en planvorming dan... more
In de hedendaagse erfgoedzorg zijn economisch belang, culturele waarde en sociale vitaliteit onlosmakelijk met elkaar verbonden. Cultuurhistorische belangen spelen een veel grotere rol in ruimtelijke ontwikkeling en planvorming dan voorheen. In deze context groeit de vraag naar kennisontwikkeling. Om in deze behoefte te voorzien is in opdracht van de Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed een nationale onderzoeksagenda samengesteld. Deze agenda daagt uit, mobiliseert en geeft richting aan het nationaal erfgoedonderzoek. Op basis van deze onderzoeksagenda wordt een onderzoeksprogramma samengesteld. Drie erfgoedbenaderingen In de onderzoeksagenda worden drie erfgoedbenaderingen benoemd die na elkaar tot ontwikkeling zijn gekomen en nu naast elkaar bestaan: ‘sector’, ‘factor’ en ‘vector’. Ook wordt de huidige stand van kennis geinventariseerd. Deze inventarisatie laat zich vertalen tot onderzoeksthema’s van de toekomst. Deze onderzoeksthema’s vormen de kern van de agenda. Vervolgens zijn zes programmalijnen benoemd. Aan de hand van deze programmalijnen kan het onderzoek over erfgoed en ruimte in de periode 2013-2020 worden georganiseerd.
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Hay-making structures are part of the agricultural landscape of meadows and pastures. Hay meadows are still used and found all over Europe, but their distribution patterns as well as their characteristics and regional features depend on... more
Hay-making structures are part of the agricultural landscape of meadows and pastures. Hay meadows are still used and found all over Europe, but their distribution patterns as well as their characteristics and regional features depend on geographical area, climate, culture, and intensity of agriculture. Intensively used hay meadows are the most dominant, using heavy machinery to store hay mostly as rounded or square bales. Traditional hay-making structures represent structures or constructions, used to quickly dry freshly cut fodder and to protect it from humidity. The ‘ancient’ forms of traditional hay-making structures are becoming a relic, due to mechanisation and the use of new technologies. Both the need for drying hay and the traditional methods for doing so were similar across Europe. Our study of hay-making structures focuses on their current state, their development and history, current use and cultural values in various European countries. Regarding the construction and use...
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Dockum, S. van, S. van Lochem, D. van Marrewijk, H. Renes, R. Smouter & K. van der Wielen (1997). Nederlandse landschappen van wereldformaat; cultuurlandschappen op Werelderfgoedlijst. Geografie 6, pp. 24-29.
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ABSTRACT Landscape history is still mainly studied in local or regional projects and within national research traditions. However, an international perspective becomes ever more necessary, not just for scientific reasons, but also in the... more
ABSTRACT Landscape history is still mainly studied in local or regional projects and within national research traditions. However, an international perspective becomes ever more necessary, not just for scientific reasons, but also in the light of the increasing internationalisation of landscape politics; see for example the European Landscape Convention. The present article willfocus on one particular type of landscape: the open fields, the grain-growing landscapes that were the backbone of medieval European agriculture. The landscape of open fields can (or at least could) be found over large parts of Europe in regions with very different legal and organisational structures, soil conditions and agricultural systems. Some of the lengthiest and most thorough discussions in landscape history were on the origin of the open fields. The present article stresses the necessity to treat the different components of open fields (land use, landownership, agrarian techniques) separately. Many of the explanations offered are based on research in limited areas. An international perspective is helpful by putting local developments into a broader perspective. Since the Late Middle Ages, the open field landscapes have moved north-eastwards, following the moving geography of grain cultivation. Whereas open fields gradually disappeared through enclosure in Britain, Scandinavia and other regions, elsewhere, especially in the Eastern Baltic, new open fields were being developed during the sixteenth century. This changing geography of open fields is probably related to changes in the European economy, in which the regional markets for grain gave way to a pan- European market during the sixteenth century and to a world market in the last decades of the nineteenth century. Each phase offered new opportunities, as well as threats, to the open field regions.
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Many Dutch castles and noble houses are situated in high-medieval reclamation regions. In literature sometimes a relationship is suggested between the castles and the reclamations, but empirical evidence is extremely rare, as is... more
Many Dutch castles and noble houses are situated in high-medieval reclamation regions. In literature sometimes a relationship is suggested between the castles and the reclamations, but empirical evidence is extremely rare, as is scientific research. In recent years, however, the amount of archaeological data on castles has grown enormously and also our knowledge of landscape history has increased. This makes it worthwhile to go back to the relationship between the two. The relationship between reclamations and castle building will be discussed in three wetland regions that were reclaimed during the High Middle Ages. In the first, in Langbroek, large numbers of small castles were built from the middle of the 13th century onwards, mainly by three families. Their spatial distribution suggests an indirect connection with land ownership by the manors in the surrounding villages that had organised the reclamations more than a century earlier. The second case study, Jutphaas, is less clear...
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Most historic landscape research takes place within individual countries or even regions. However, landscapes and regions have always been interconnected and we cannot understand any landscape without taking their connections into... more
Most historic landscape research takes place within individual countries or even regions. However, landscapes and regions have always been interconnected and we cannot understand any landscape without taking their connections into account. This is certainly the case with mountain landscapes, which were often framed as remote, isolated and self-supporting, but in reality were always connected to the outside world. Exchange with lowland regions existed in different forms: in transhumance systems, in specialised forms of agriculture and in specific products. Over the long run, the resilience of mountain landscapes was not connected to stability, but to creative adaptation to ever changing eternal conditions.
Continuing landscapes as World Heritage The World Heritage Convention was adopted by UNESCO in 1972, in a period of growing awareness of the international dimensions of environment and heritage. However, it was also a period in which... more
Continuing landscapes as World Heritage The World Heritage Convention was adopted by UNESCO in 1972, in a period of growing awareness of the international dimensions of environment and heritage. However, it was also a period in which European visions of heritage were still dominant, for example on themes such as authenticity and the distinction between nature and culture. The World Heritage List, resulting from the Convention, put the initiative for inscriptions by state parties, leading to a bias towards unproblematic and tourism-oriented objects. In all these aspects, almost half a century of discussions brought changing ideas. The European emphasis on material authenticity and the division between nature and culture were challenged by practices from Asia and Africa. The role of the nation state became less important by global exchanges of ideas and by local and regional initiatives. The protection of cultural landscapes, particularly that of ‘living’ or ‘continuing’ landscapes, w...
For most of the twentieth century, nature conservation activities were connected to the protection of agrarian landscapes. During the late 1980s, the introduction of the concept of 'new wilderness' offered new opportunities for... more
For most of the twentieth century, nature conservation activities were connected to the protection of agrarian landscapes. During the late 1980s, the introduction of the concept of 'new wilderness' offered new opportunities for ecologists, but at the same time produced conflicts with traditional nature and landscape conservation. At the heart of the conflict were different visions of the relation between nature and society, sometimes resulting in a polarised debate, with opposing Arcadian and wilderness visions. In this paper, the new wilderness will be described from a landscape perspective, envisioning these wildernesses as a phase in the long history of human influences on landscapes and as part of a landscape that is complex and multi-layered. Some examples will show how a sectoral approach to nature leads to projects in which opportunities to integrate the new wilderness into a wider context of landscape and society are missed. In the final part, a prospect will be show...
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The landscapes of open fields were the grain baskets of medieval Europe. The term ‘open fields’ refers to the large arable fields that have an open character because the individual parcels of the owners were not surrounded by hedges,... more
The landscapes of open fields were the grain baskets of medieval Europe. The term ‘open fields’ refers to the large arable fields that have an open character because the individual parcels of the owners were not surrounded by hedges, woodbanks, drystone walls or other visible boundaries. In this paper, I focus on the traces of open fields in different parts of Europe, distinguishing two periods. The first period, up to the early 14th century, covers the period of origin and growth. The heyday of the open fields ended during the first half of the 14th century due to population decline, which was followed by a series of reorganisations of the European landscape (the second period, until the present day). Both these periods have left traces in the European landscape.
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Natuurmonumenten luistert nooit naar ons, Den Haag bedenkt weer iets onmogelijks en Wetenschappers be-antwoorden nooit wat je ze vraagt; zo maar wat klachten van wetenschappers, beheerders en beleidsmakers over elkaar. Op zijn minst... more
Natuurmonumenten luistert nooit naar ons, Den Haag bedenkt weer iets onmogelijks en Wetenschappers be-antwoorden nooit wat je ze vraagt; zo maar wat klachten van wetenschappers, beheerders en beleidsmakers over elkaar. Op zijn minst is duidelijk dat ...
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"Regained from the water: the landscape of the Beemster. From the l6th century onwards, inland lakes were drained and made into agricultural land. Starting with the Achtermeer near Alkmaar, drained 1532, a total number of 445 lakes,... more
"Regained from the water: the landscape of the Beemster. From the l6th century onwards, inland lakes were drained and made into agricultural land. Starting with the Achtermeer near Alkmaar, drained 1532, a total number of 445 lakes, together 300.000 ha, were drained. More than half of these lakes, with almost 3/4 of the area, were natural lakes, the others were the result of peat-digging. The drainings were concentrated in two periods: the 'Golden Age' of the first half of the 17th century en the period from ca 1850 until the present day. The oldest drained lakes are no longer recognizable, due to urbanization and agricultural developments. The most magnificent drained lake is the Beemster c. 7100 ha), the first of the large projects. The Beemster was drained by 43 windmills, between 1607-1612. The layout of the new polder shows a typical renaissance-pattern, with the road system and the main drainage ditches dividing the land in exact squares. Each square in turn was divided into five strips of 225 x 900 metres each. On the crossroads, rectangular squares were planned, five of which were meant to become villages. In the end, only one of these villages, Midden-Beemster, was realized. The polder was not only for agriculture, but also for the second homes for the merchants and patricians, mainly from Amsterdam, who financed the project. Therefore, more than in any other polder, the landscape was beautified by trees and private gardens. The Beemster is a unique example of 17th-century Dutch landscape planning."
... 9 van het meest noordelijke gehucht, de Peppeld, dat tussen 12,5 en 15 m +NAP ligt. Het zijn oude nederzettingen: Brakel en Dolder worden al in de 838 genoemd6, Leeuwen in 1271. ... Daarbij werd waardevolle assistentie verkregen van... more
... 9 van het meest noordelijke gehucht, de Peppeld, dat tussen 12,5 en 15 m +NAP ligt. Het zijn oude nederzettingen: Brakel en Dolder worden al in de 838 genoemd6, Leeuwen in 1271. ... Daarbij werd waardevolle assistentie verkregen van mw. Renske van der Maten, dhr. ...
T he following glossary of terms related to the European agricultural landscape shall serve as a common basis for all parties, working in or on agricultural landscapes. Some of the terms are quite common and sometimes used in our every... more
T he following glossary of terms related to the European agricultural landscape shall serve as a common basis for all parties, working in or on agricultural landscapes. Some of the terms are quite common and sometimes used in our every day language, but they often have different meanings in particular countries. These differences may be a result of varying linguistic
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Oude sporen in een nieuwe eeuw de uitdaging na Belvedere
Vraaggesprek met 4 vertegenwoordigers van het netwerk Erfgoed en Ruimte. De eerste auteur is de interviewer.
Oude sporen in een nieuwe eeuw de uitdaging na Belvedere
Hay-making structures are part of the agricultural landscape of meadows and pastures. Hay meadows are still used and found all over Europe, but their distribution patterns as well as their characteristics and regional features depend on... more
Hay-making structures are part of the agricultural landscape of meadows and pastures. Hay meadows are still used and found all over Europe, but their distribution patterns as well as their characteristics and regional features depend on geographical area, climate, culture, and intensity of agriculture. Intensively used hay meadows are the most dominant, using heavy machinery to store hay mostly as rounded or square bales. Traditional hay-making structures Sustainability 2019, 11, 5581 2 of 19 represent structures or constructions, used to quickly dry freshly cut fodder and to protect it from humidity. The 'ancient' forms of traditional hay-making structures are becoming a relic, due to mechanisation and the use of new technologies. Both the need for drying hay and the traditional methods for doing so were similar across Europe. Our study of hay-making structures focuses on their current state, their development and history, current use and cultural values in various European countries. Regarding the construction and use of hay-making structures, we have distinguished three different types, which correlate to natural and regional conditions: (1) temporary hay racks of various shapes; (2) hay barracks, a special type of shelters for storing hay and (3) different types of permanent construction and buildings for drying and storing hay. Hay-making structures have been mostly preserved in connection with traditional agricultural landscapes, and particularly in the more remote regions or where associated with strong cultural identity.
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... 9 van het meest noordelijke gehucht, de Peppeld, dat tussen 12,5 en 15 m +NAP ligt. Het zijn oude nederzettingen: Brakel en Dolder worden al in de 838 genoemd6, Leeuwen in 1271. ... Daarbij werd waardevolle assistentie verkregen van... more
... 9 van het meest noordelijke gehucht, de Peppeld, dat tussen 12,5 en 15 m +NAP ligt. Het zijn oude nederzettingen: Brakel en Dolder worden al in de 838 genoemd6, Leeuwen in 1271. ... Daarbij werd waardevolle assistentie verkregen van mw. Renske van der Maten, dhr. ...
In the western and central part of the Netherlands several castles were built in Reclamation areas in the 12th to 14th century. The people responsible fo the building of these castles or their ancesters seem to have been involved in the... more
In the western and central part of the Netherlands several castles were built in Reclamation areas in the 12th to 14th century. The people responsible fo the building of these castles or their ancesters seem to have been involved in the reclamation activities. They acted as locatores and gained wealth and prestige through that role. We can distinguish sevreal groups .Some of these castles have disappeared but their location is still visible in the landscape. Others have been altered into manor houses. The function of the castles is not completely clear. Dit they act as termporary fortifications during the reclamation pro9cess or were the used as permanent residences? Certian is that they are stongly linked to the fenland reclamations. These reclamations opened opportunities for ambitous people lokking to gain fortune and prestige.
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Many Dutch castles and noble houses are situated in high-medieval reclamation regions. In literature sometimes a relation is suggested between the castles and the reclamations, but empirical evidence is extremely rare as is scientific... more
Many Dutch castles and noble houses are situated in
high-medieval reclamation regions. In literature sometimes
a relation is suggested between the castles and
the reclamations, but empirical evidence is extremely
rare as is scientific research. In recent years, however,
the amount of archaeological data on castles has grown
enormously and also the knowledge of landscape history
has increased. This makes it worthwhile to go back
to the relation between the two.
The relation between reclamations and castle building
is discussed in three wetland regions that were
reclaimed during the High Middle Ages. In the first,
Langbroek, a large number of small castles was built
from the middle of the 13th century onwards, mainly
by three noble families. Their spatial distribution suggests
an indirect connection with land ownership by the
manors in the surrounding villages that had organised
the reclamations more than a century earlier. The
second case study, Jutphaas, is less clear, although the
large density of castles here seems to have been the
result of building activities by one or two noble families.
The third case study is situated in the core region of
the systematic fenland reclamations along the border
between the county of Holland and the bishopric of
Utrecht. Here, in recent years a number of castle sites
have been discovered that may date from the initial
stage of the reclamations. These castles seem to have
been deserted early but are still visible in the landscape.
The reclamations offered opportunities for ambitious
people to climb the social ladder and build or obtain
castles and noble houses.
high-medieval reclamation regions. In literature sometimes
a relation is suggested between the castles and
the reclamations, but empirical evidence is extremely
rare as is scientific research. In recent years, however,
the amount of archaeological data on castles has grown
enormously and also the knowledge of landscape history
has increased. This makes it worthwhile to go back
to the relation between the two.
The relation between reclamations and castle building
is discussed in three wetland regions that were
reclaimed during the High Middle Ages. In the first,
Langbroek, a large number of small castles was built
from the middle of the 13th century onwards, mainly
by three noble families. Their spatial distribution suggests
an indirect connection with land ownership by the
manors in the surrounding villages that had organised
the reclamations more than a century earlier. The
second case study, Jutphaas, is less clear, although the
large density of castles here seems to have been the
result of building activities by one or two noble families.
The third case study is situated in the core region of
the systematic fenland reclamations along the border
between the county of Holland and the bishopric of
Utrecht. Here, in recent years a number of castle sites
have been discovered that may date from the initial
stage of the reclamations. These castles seem to have
been deserted early but are still visible in the landscape.
The reclamations offered opportunities for ambitious
people to climb the social ladder and build or obtain
castles and noble houses.
Research Interests:
The following glossary of terms related to the European agricultural landscape shall serve as a common basis for all parties, working in or on agricultural landscapes. Some of the terms are quite common and sometimes used in our every day... more
The following glossary of terms related to the European agricultural landscape shall serve as a common basis for all parties, working in or on agricultural landscapes. Some of the terms are quite common and sometimes used in our every day language, but they often have different meanings in particular countries. These differences may be a result of varying linguistic developments, history and traditions. The glossary contains 40 terms in
seven languages; English, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Hungarian, and Spanish. Each term begins with an English definition, illustrated by a photograph. If there are differences in meanings and connotations of single countries, they are mentioned in the designated country’s column. This work is to be continued.
seven languages; English, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Hungarian, and Spanish. Each term begins with an English definition, illustrated by a photograph. If there are differences in meanings and connotations of single countries, they are mentioned in the designated country’s column. This work is to be continued.
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This paper presents the outlines of a new EU-funded research program for the long-term history, present-day management and further development of the European landscapes, including their natural and cultural heritage: HERCULES. One of the... more
This paper presents the outlines of a new EU-funded research program for the long-term history, present-day management and further development of the European landscapes, including their natural and cultural heritage: HERCULES. One of the subprojects of this program (Work Package 2) links archaeological, historical and historical ecological data to the analysis of geo-information in order to develop models of long-term landscape change in three carefully chosen study regions in the Netherlands, Sweden and Estonia. This is framed theoretically by integrating insights from landscape biography, historical ecology and complex systems theory. The linking and analysis of data will be done using a Spatial Data Infrastructure and by means of dynamic modelling. 1 IntroductIon In December 2013 a new large-scale program was launched for the research, protection and management of the European cultural landscapes within EU Seventh Framework Programme: HERCULES (Sustainable Futures for Europe'...
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Research Interests:
Voordracht tijdens studiemiddag van Cascade, 19 februari 2016 in Sonsbeek, Arnhem. Thema van de middag was het tuinhistorische onderzoek in Nederland
In the Netherlands, most high and dry land was settled and cultivated as early as the prehistoric period. Many lowlands, on the other hand, remained essentially unreclaimed until well into the Middle Ages. Since then these areas, too,... more
In the Netherlands, most high and dry land was settled and cultivated as early as the prehistoric period. Many lowlands, on the other hand, remained essentially unreclaimed until well into the Middle Ages. Since then these areas, too, have witnessed rapid change, physically as well as socially. Usually in medieval reclamation areas, under frontier-like conditions, settlers managed to become free farmers. This paper discusses the interesting two-faced character of the social developments in some of the ‘outlands’ along the margins of the ‘civilized world’. In some areas elite groups emerged or expanded, and castles and castle-like dwellings were shooting up far and wide, while wilderness areas were rapidly being transformed into highly productive arable land. Elsewhere smallholders and paupers settled, or were forced to settle involuntarily. In the latter cases the local economy was largely based on peat cutting and small-scale subsistence agriculture. Socially, outlands (reclamation areas) therefore took very different paths, which is still recognizable today. The history of these social contrasts is complex and deserves more research. Different opportunities as well as the ability and freedom to exploit them seem to have been key factors.