New Spaces for Climate Change - The Societal Construction of Landscapes in Times of a Changing Climate

Vera Köpsel investigates the relevance of local perceptions of landscape and nature for the current topic of adaptation to climate change. She highlights the influence that differing conceptualisations of landscape among actors in environmental management have on their perspectives on climate change and adaptation. Qualitative empirical data from Cornwall (UK) constitutes a valuable foundation for an enhanced theoretical understanding of societal constructions of landscape and their implications for local negotiation processes. Using the example of coastal erosion, the author discusses how contrasting perceptions of a local landscape can significantly complicate consensus-finding around physical-material adaptation measures.

Vera Köpsel conducted her PhD at the Institute of Geography, University of Hamburg. She now works as a human geographer focusing on human-environment interactions, stakeholder dialogue and communication at the university's Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science.