Abstract
The nature–culture divide is an artificial separation consolidated by Western modern science. It is a social construction that disseminated globally, but does not exist in some non-Western societies. Abandoning this framework to embrace an integrated system for sustainability is challenging. The concept of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) already attempts to integrate natural and cultural heritage into urban planning by focusing on a landscape approach. However, this approach consumes rural and nature into the urban. To uncover nature and return it to the forefront of urban conservation, this paper explores cultural landscapes as examples where natural and cultural values are inextricably related. Four case studies are presented of satoyama and satoumi, cultural landscapes of Japan where Shinto beliefs and traditional agricultural practices knit together nature and culture, rendering the divide unseen. This paper suggests connecting the HUL approach, with this inclusive understanding, by turning the focus to mapping seasonal relationships following a transdisciplinary approach in which indigenous and local knowledge are integrated, as well as a temporal dimension. In this way, one can find satoyama and satoumi in the urban environment: by looking beyond the attributes, the interrelationships with the natural substratum needed to support the development of quality and resilient environments can be revealed.
Highlights
Cities are growing at a rapid pace, and much of this uncontrolled development produces low-quality environments, poverty, and environmental pollution
As heritage researchers and practitioners who intend to contribute to the sustainability of our urban environments while conserving heritage, we need to look at the synergies between the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach, 2016 UN Habitat New Urban Agenda (NUA) and 2015 UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (United Nations 2015), especially but not exclusively, their connection with SDG 11, Target 4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
We can find the remains of satoyama and satoumi in our urban environments: as we identify and value the historical layering, we reveal the natural substratum that will support the development of quality and resilient environments
Summary
Cities are growing at a rapid pace, and much of this uncontrolled development produces low-quality environments, poverty, and environmental pollution. To redirect this trend and work on designing and planning inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements, as stated in Sustainable Development Goal 11-SDG 11 (United Nations 2015), UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (UNESCO 2011) suggests integrating cultural and natural heritage into urban planning.
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