Edgelands

Edgelands is a term for the transitional, liminal zone of space created between rural and urban areas as formed by urbanisation.[1] These spaces often contain nature alongside cities, towns, roads and other unsightly but necessary buildings, such as power substations or depots, at the edge of cities.[2]

History[edit]

The concept of edgelands was introduced by Marion Shoard in 2002, to cover the disorganised but often fertile hinterland between planned town and over-managed country.[3] However, a century and a half earlier, Victor Hugo had already highlighted the existence of what he called "bastard countryside ... ugly but bizarre, made up of two different natures, which surrounds certain great cities";[4] while Richard Jeffries similarly explored the London edgeland in Nature near London (1883).

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Walker, Andrew (14 June 2002). Aspects of Lincoln: Discovering Local History. Wharncliffe Books. p. 134. ISBN 978-1903425046. THE TERM 'EDGE-LAND' has been coined recently for the concept of a neglected area on the fringe of a city.
  2. ^ Macfarlane, Robert (2011-02-19). "Edgelands by Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts - review". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  3. ^ Farley, Paul; Roberts, Michael Symmons (17 February 2011). "Our beautiful 'edgelands': A dark light on the edge of town". The Independent.
  4. ^ Macfarlane, Robert (5 March 2015). Landmarks. Penguin. p. 231. ISBN 978-0241967874.

Further reading[edit]

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