1st Edition
Heritage, Memory and the Politics of Identity New Perspectives on the Cultural Landscape
The study of the cultural landscape has gained momentum in recent years, revealing new insights to geographers, archaeologists, sociologists and architects. The cultural landscape is often viewed as an emblematic site and thus a key player in the heritage process. This book explores the overlapping and often complex relationships between identity, memory, heritage and the cultural landscape. It provides an overview of new approaches in the study of these relationships, combined with evidence from Ireland, England, Scotland and the United States. These case studies demonstrate the significance of the past in the contemporary construction of identity narratives and draw attention to the powerful role of monuments and parades as sites of cultural heritage. The focus then shifts to the way in which heritage has become politicized for various ends, demonstrating the changing perception of particular heritage sites and buildings, and the role that this has played in constructing and reconstructing particular identities.
Biography
Dr Niamh Moore is Lecturer at the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Dr Yvonne Whelan is Lecturer in Human Geography at the School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.
’What is really important about this fascinating book is that it is written and edited by the generation that has inherited the cultural turn first explored over twenty years ago. Focusing on the role of landscape in cultivating narratives of national and personal identities, they provide stimulating insights into identity, memory, heritage and the cultural landscape.’ Anngret Simms, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland ’By teasing out...multi-layered tensions the authors reveal the richness and subtlety of the memorial-making process; they also expose the complexity of such concepts as heritage, identity, memory and culture...the book...would be of as much interest to a lay reader as to a cultural historian, landscape designer or professional geographer.’ Green Places 'Reading a compilation of narratives such as those presented in Heritage, Memory and the Politics of Identity, helps us to see the many different facets of memory and ultimately remembering...The authors of all chapters have presented thought-provoking perspectives on the cultural landscape.' Journal of Sustainable Tourism '... written with concision, illuminating in its content and highly relevant to the discourse of the cultural heritage of landscapes.' Australian Planner 'This superb collection of essays provides many stimulating and challenging ideas and succeeds in its objectives to further the intersection of landscape, heritage, identity, and memory. Collectively, the bibliographies of the essays are themselves a valuable literature review.' Association of American Geographers. '...provides ample material for students to study their subjects in the real world...' Area
