Territorialiser les espaces naturels vulnérables par le paysage

Abstract

Landscape and territorial development planning, often thought of in parallel, contribute to considerations about the living environment. This article uses the example of the programme implemented in the Allier region referred to as ‘sensitive natural spaces’ (in French, espaces naturels sensibles or ENS). The purpose of this programme is to understand how development within a territory focused on relationships within the landscape makes it possible to transform a vulnerable environment into one that is meaningful as well as socially and ecologically desirable. The interrelations between territorial developments and the landscape in the site of the Tortuous Beeches (in French, site des Hêtres tortueux), named after these remarkable trees that are remnants of ancient agricultural practices, makes it possible to understand the evolution of the landscape through the different territorial projects developed by local actors. The comparison of two areas in this site and the study of the conflictual and consensual ties they maintain as well as their impacts on the landscape reveal the interdependence between territorial development and landscape. Thus, building a political project around common spaces is needed to make up for the vulnerability of natural spaces in the ENS scheme.

Keywords

• sensitive natural spaces
• mediating territorialities
• relationships within the landscape
• sensitive landscape