Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Traumatic Nature of the Swamp: Concepts of Nature in the Romanian Danube Delta.

van Assche, K.; Bell, S.; Teampau, P.

Authors

K. van Assche

P. Teampau



Abstract

This paper focuses on local constructions of 'nature' in governance processes, and the importance of historical and institutional contexts for their genesis and functioning. Through extensive field study in the Romanian Danube Delta, it is demonstrated that the origin and distribution of certain concepts can be credited to a history of conflicts over land and resource use. Considering the implications for participatory natural resource governance, we argue that this capacity of the governance context to produce and transform concepts of nature, poses real challenges. To these challenges can be added legacies of disempowerment and marginalisation, evident in local inhabitants' images and concepts of nature, which we seek to understand by developing a theory of traumatic nature.

Citation

van Assche, K., Bell, S., & Teampau, P. (2012). Traumatic Nature of the Swamp: Concepts of Nature in the Romanian Danube Delta. Environmental Values, 21(2), 163-183. https://doi.org/10.3197/096327112x13303670567297

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2012-05
Deposit Date May 8, 2012
Journal Environmental Values
Print ISSN 0963-2719
Electronic ISSN 1752-7015
Publisher White Horse Press
Volume 21
Issue 2
Pages 163-183
DOI https://doi.org/10.3197/096327112x13303670567297
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1476021