Penko, N. & I. Marušič, 2005, Naming spaces, creating landscapes: the role of tomonyms in landscape planning, in: ECLAS (D. Oguz), ‘Landscape change’, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture Ankara University, Ankara
- Author : Penko, N. & I. Marušič
- Year : 2005
- Published in Book : Landscape change
- Pages : 78-89
- Abstract in English : Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture Ankara University: 78-89. ABSTRACT: Toponyms represent the landscape layer which holds symbolic values and by this it creates the connection between physical features and our understanding of place. Moreover, toponyms represent inscriptions of many generations that lived within the landscape. The first step in establishing the relationship to a certain place is its naming. “In a fundamental way names create landscapes,” writes Tilley (1994: 19). As the rapid changes in contemporary societies often result in physical change, they may affect the toponym structure as well, thus there is also change of diversity, amenity, coherence and identity. A palimpsest shaped by hundreds of generations can no longer compete with new development and is rapidly vanishing. Three important questions emerge: i) Can the symbolic qualities of traditional cultural landscapes be preserved? ii) In which way can traditional knowledge be incorporated in directing future development? iii) To what degree can traditional knowledge be incorporated in directing future development? To answer these questions, the toponym structure of the landscape should be investigated, i.e. the distribution of the toponyms, linguistic characteristics, their historical events and their connection with physical character of the landscape. The case study of toponyms with emphasis on field names has shown that field names are the result of people’s ability to mentally map a place. Names are an expression of their familiarity with the land and a reflection of their sense for rational organisation of their activities. As such, they are strongly connected to farming and the land division system. Toponyms should be considered an important tool, which help us understand past and present-day landscapes, and in addition, they should be used in managing future landscapes.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: toponyms; field names; cultural landscape. / Eclas 2005.