The Changing face of the countryside

People are ever more likely to see the countryside as a place to experience leisure and other activities rather than a place where their food comes from.

In the face of a number of challenges to the traditional agricultural dominance across wide areas of the countryside, the new, more diverse, rural economy is experiencing significant change which is influencing the connections that rural people have with the land.

Growing numbers of people are becoming active in nature conservation projects and activities such as walking and bike riding. As a result they see the countryside not as somewhere where their food is produced but as something to be experienced, hopefully in a positive way.

The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), a specialist rural research partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and the University of the West of England, has secured a two-month project to advise the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) about the policy implications of the 'post-modern' countryside. The findings will form the basis for a seminar to be held by the CRC.

The project is being led by Christopher Short, with assistance from Dr. Matt Reed and Dr. Owain Jones. Chris points out "this is a complex area and there is not 'one view' within the academic community but it is crucial that these very important discussions on changes within our society should form the basis for a seminar with the CRC. We are looking forward to a very engaging debate!"

The term post-modern has been used over the past few years to describe this change and a change in wider society. The exact nature of the new type of society is the subject of much debate and it is this and the implications for the countryside that will be explored within the project.

The CCRI will be presenting a report of their findings to the CRC in March 2008, together with recommendations on the implications and future directions for rural policy.