CAPAS RESEARCH PROJECT - Alexander Prishchepov Rethinking about the current apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic abandonscapes from biopolitical lenses
Farmlands are changing rapidly across the globe, with agricultural expansion and farmland abandonment occurring simultaneously. Surprisingly, despite concerns over population growth and land scarcity, large areas of farmland are being left unused, particularly in Europe. Narratives surrounding these abandonscapes can be quite dramatic, referring to them as landscapes in crisis or emptied landscapes. Others may see them as a haven for nature. Consequently, policymakers may feel the need to save these landscapes through various reuse strategies, such as rewilding, carbon storage, and other land uses. These varied perspectives can lead to social tensions and raise questions about the future of those still living in these areas. Therefore, this research aims to explore how these landscapes are perceived from the perspectives of stakeholders, media, and biopolitical lenses, particularly in the context of different land-use recolonization strategies, including rewilding, EU Green Deal initiatives, and other approaches.