The Development of Planning Ideas U.K Planning: National Parks

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The Development of Planning Ideas

U.K Planning: National Parks

National Parks (NP’s) are according to (David et al, 2005), “a large tract of undeveloped land retaining its primeval and influence without permanent improvement or human habitation which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions”. This definition excludes human activities but focuses on preserving or maintaining the old natural environment, however (Karl et al 2003), defines NP’s as,“ … a tract of land declared public property by a national government with a view to its preservation and development for purposes of recreation and culture.” (Karl et al, 2003)

In support of the (Karl et al, 2003) definition of parks as social spaces of interaction, (Francis, 1998) adds that National Parks are, “an expressive space of interaction for community members….binding community members together”. In this case National Parks provide a social environment for people to meet leisurely, chat, visit, stroll or play, by so doing they develop bonds and a sense of community and togetherness. By contrast, when people meet in malls, courtrooms or at work, their relations are more formal and therefore are more likely not to contribute to community building. Although some National Parks such as Fundy National park in Canada have similar ideas of social interaction but have however taken the idea of National Parks even more further. (Andrew 2001) wrote about Fundy National, “Park has not been removed from economic development, but has been the focus of that development”. This view summarises the economic functions of NP’s.

(Francis, 1998), outlines National Park’s purposes, “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a matter and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations”. National Parks have a responsibility to provide people with easy access and to enjoy scenery or historic objects in a way that will not damage or compromise their safety for the future generations. On the other hand, it is perhaps the use of Np’s for recreation and social purposes which compromise preservation of fragile natural environments, through human activities such as road and building constructions which can destroy nature (David et al, 2005).

NP’s also have economic value and are self sustaining. “People are eager to spend money on trips to see outstanding natural beauty. Therefore National Parks may be said to be in the business of selling scenery” (Andrew, 2001, p.31). The greatest advantage of NP’s was summed up in the commissioner’s annual report quoted in (Andrew, p, 31). “When we sell scenery, no matter how large our sales, our capital stock remains undiminished. We have the same scenery to sell over and over again.” From this perspective NP’s are a money making business that is not only very profitable but is self sufficient.

The national Park is an American invention, for the Americans and by the Americans. (David 2005). Such sentiments allowed national solidarity, boosted American’s citizen pride and this also “prescribed the American values to the people” (David, 2005). (Francis, 1998) agrees “National parks play a role to actually transmitting and buttressing those values to the members of the national community” this can be done in a variety of ways such as guided tours, slide shows or lectures provided by the National Parks and other forms of advertising. For example this is a slogan which was adopted by Yellowstone National Park. “We are an expression of the American soul; the parks are our treasures, our history, our pride and our solace. In the immensity of their diversity, they provide us the fullest sense of who we are. By setting aside pieces of America’s wild land, we have protected our birthright for ourselves and given an enormous gift to the world. Our National Parks (NP) represents us to the world with honour.” (David, 2005). NP’s embraced and exploited the Native American’s culture (Red Indians) and their heritage. There was also a declaration of park’s mystical properties to attract visitors. (Andrew, 2001). People would find, it was said, “mystical agencies of healing and rejuvenescence for body, mind and soul, peculiar agencies that can be found nowhere else; in these silent wildernesses, there are holy places”. (Andrew, 2001, p33).

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To early supporters of National Park idea, the parks were seen as a way for young United States to compete with European culture through scenic nationalism, which (Francis, 1998) describes as that essential purpose of the national Parks to help us to bind together as Americas. Examples include the Civic War battle grounds, Washington Monument and Lincoln memorials which are an integral part of the American cultural landscape. (Francis, 1998) argued that, “scenic nationalism’s description of America’s wonders and landscape were often chauvinistic…directed to tourists often amounted to boosterism on a national scale.” On the other hand this can ...

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