MODSCAPES explores rural landscapes produced by large-scale agricultural development and colonisation schemes planned in the 20th century. This transnational research project investigates 11 case studies across Europe and beyond.
… BUT WHO EVER HEARD ABOUT ‘MODERNIST’ RURAL LANDSCAPES?
At first sight, there is a contradiction between ‘modernist’ and ‘rural’. Yet throughout the 20th century, many European States imagined, adopted and implemented large scale development and agricultural schemes to modernise the countryside: parliamentary as well as fascist regimes, socialist republics or colonial powers. Today, there are thousands of modernist farms, hamlets, villages and towns in Europe and beyond, where several million inhabitants live or have lived.
Modernist rural development schemes were pivotal to Nation- and State-building policies, and to the modernization of the countryside. They provided a testing ground for the ideas of scientists, architects, engineers, planners, landscape architects and artists, who converged around a shared challenge.
ECLAS is an associated partner and plans to be involved through linking with the other associated partners Civilscape and DOCOMOMO to help in the networking, dissemination and awareness raising of the research field which has wide relevance for landscape planning, conservation and design.
