Landscape as Territory

Synopsis

Landscape as Territory is a cartographic book project that critically addresses the agency of architects in the so-called 'Urban Age,' understanding the notion of 'territory' as a field of design praxis through which interconnected landscapes are produced. Territory, understood as a 'political technology,' has the capacity to involve architects and designers into complex social, political, technical, legal, strategic and economic processes that are both historical and geographical engines of contemporary urbanization. Territorial praxis is interrogated in a collection of threaded theory and design contributions where essays pose key questions that are addressed through projective cartographies, unfolding arguments related to three sections: (1) territory, (2) critical cartographies and (3) agency. This material intends to raise awareness about the consequential production of landscapes through territorial processes and urges a critical re-appropriation of cartographic tools, accomplice in the production of territories, and to question and expand the architect's agency.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Territorial Imagination

* Summary:
* Explores the concept of territory as a bounded space that individuals and groups claim as their own.
* Discusses how territorial boundaries are established, maintained, and contested.
* Introduces the idea of landscape as a form of territory.

* Example:
* A farmer's property lines define his agricultural territory, which he protects from trespassers and boundary disputes.

Chapter 2: Landscape as Representation

* Summary:
* Examines how landscapes are represented in art, literature, and other cultural forms.
* Explores how these representations reflect and shape our perceptions of territory.
* Discusses the role of power in shaping representations of landscape.

* Example:
* A painting of a pastoral scene portrays an idealized and tranquil landscape, which may reflect the power of the landowner who commissioned the work.

Chapter 3: Landscape as Experience

* Summary:
* Explores the ways in which people experience and interact with landscapes.
* Discusses the sensory and emotional dimensions of territorial belonging.
* Analyzes how place attachments and memories are shaped by landscape experiences.

* Example:
* A hiker's sense of connection to a mountain trail, where they recall childhood adventures and feel a sense of rejuvenation.

Chapter 4: Landscape as Contestation

* Summary:
* Examines the role of landscape in social and political conflicts.
* Explores how landscapes are used to justify claims to territory and power.
* Discusses the ways in which landscapes are contested and transformed through war, migration, and other upheavals.

* Example:
* A contested border region between two nations, where historical and political tensions shape perceptions of the landscape and its ownership.

Chapter 5: Landscape as Commons

* Summary:
* Examines the concept of landscape as a common resource that is shared by multiple stakeholders.
* Discusses the challenges and opportunities of managing landscapes in a sustainable and equitable way.
* Explores the role of collective action and governance in shaping shared landscapes.

* Example:
* A community garden where residents collectively cultivate and harvest food, fostering a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for the landscape.