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
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
References
-
^ 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.
- ^ Macfarlane, Robert (2011-02-19). "Edgelands by Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts - review". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ Farley, Paul; Roberts, Michael Symmons (17 February 2011). "Our beautiful 'edgelands': A dark light on the edge of town". The Independent.
- ^ Macfarlane, Robert (5 March 2015). Landmarks. Penguin. p. 231. ISBN 978-0241967874.
Further reading
- Richard Mabey, The Unofficial Countryside (1973)
- Marion Shoard, Edgelands (2002)
- Paul Farley and Michael Roberts, Edgelands (2012)
External links
 | This article about geography terminology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This environment-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |