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Values of Nature. A case study of a land-use transformation conflict in Havdrup

Andersen, Alma Mølsted LU (2023) HEKM51 20231
Department of Human Geography
Human Geography
Human Ecology
Abstract
Values are a crucial aspect of human–nature relationships, and they play important roles in policies on land use and environmental management. However, our current decision-making systems tend to take inadequate account of the diversity of values associated with human relationships with nature. Instrumental, monetary values dominate the political systems following the Western neoliberal hegemony. Studies suggest that relational values can contribute to pro-environmental actions and sustainable transformations. This case study contributes to the field of values by compiling a qualitative analysis of values attributed to nature. Semi-structured interviews combined with photo elicitation and walking interviews with locals and actors from the... (More)
Values are a crucial aspect of human–nature relationships, and they play important roles in policies on land use and environmental management. However, our current decision-making systems tend to take inadequate account of the diversity of values associated with human relationships with nature. Instrumental, monetary values dominate the political systems following the Western neoliberal hegemony. Studies suggest that relational values can contribute to pro-environmental actions and sustainable transformations. This case study contributes to the field of values by compiling a qualitative analysis of values attributed to nature. Semi-structured interviews combined with photo elicitation and walking interviews with locals and actors from the municipality are used to examine locals’ values of nature and human-nature relationships. The study focuses on a land-use transformation conflict in the town of Havdrup, Denmark. Plural values involving instrumental, intrinsic and relational values were attributed to nature by locals. But relational values were most frequently expressed among locals. However, environmental policies and laws do not adequately reflect the locals' relational values of nature. Instead, an instrumental, monetary approach to nature is prominent, clearly prioritizing farmers and the agricultural industry, and counteracting international goals for biodiversity. Discourses and narratives shape locals’ perceptions of the importance of farmland for the national economy and identity. This study argues for relational values to be more strongly anchored in environmental laws and policies to ensure environmental and social justice and sustainability. (Less)
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author
Andersen, Alma Mølsted LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKM51 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Relational values, plural values, environmental management, ecosystems, human-nature relations.
language
English
id
9114639
date added to LUP
2023-07-26 09:08:22
date last changed
2023-07-26 09:08:22
@misc{9114639,
  abstract     = {{Values are a crucial aspect of human–nature relationships, and they play important roles in policies on land use and environmental management. However, our current decision-making systems tend to take inadequate account of the diversity of values associated with human relationships with nature. Instrumental, monetary values dominate the political systems following the Western neoliberal hegemony. Studies suggest that relational values can contribute to pro-environmental actions and sustainable transformations. This case study contributes to the field of values by compiling a qualitative analysis of values attributed to nature. Semi-structured interviews combined with photo elicitation and walking interviews with locals and actors from the municipality are used to examine locals’ values of nature and human-nature relationships. The study focuses on a land-use transformation conflict in the town of Havdrup, Denmark. Plural values involving instrumental, intrinsic and relational values were attributed to nature by locals. But relational values were most frequently expressed among locals. However, environmental policies and laws do not adequately reflect the locals' relational values of nature. Instead, an instrumental, monetary approach to nature is prominent, clearly prioritizing farmers and the agricultural industry, and counteracting international goals for biodiversity. Discourses and narratives shape locals’ perceptions of the importance of farmland for the national economy and identity. This study argues for relational values to be more strongly anchored in environmental laws and policies to ensure environmental and social justice and sustainability.}},
  author       = {{Andersen, Alma Mølsted}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Values of Nature. A case study of a land-use transformation conflict in Havdrup}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}