A landscape is defined as “a tract of land with its distinguishing characteristics and features, especially considered as a product of modifying or shaping processes”. Landscape encompasses the visible features of an area, however, what distinguishes it is not solely its natural attributes but also the profound influence of agents impacting meaningfully on its essence. Human intervention, plays a central role in shaping landscapes, imprinting upon them layers of cultural, social, and economic significance. Ever since the dawn of civilization, humankind's endeavors have left an indelible mark on the earth's surface, redrawing it through the steps of a progressive appropriation and all-round management. Thus, landscape emerges not just as a passive backdrop but as a dynamic reflection of human interaction with the environment, a product of our ability to mold and be molded by the world around us. This fertile relationship between human agency and the natural world carves not only the physical contours of natural landscapes but also the cultural and social fabric of human civilization, as the environment stands as the linchpin around which societies develop their customs, traditions, and belief systems. From human responses to environmental constraints and opportunities in the definition of economic panoramas, to the natural features of the land setting the guiding thread of human settlement patterns by influencing layout and infrastructure of urban areas, to the cultural appropriation and identification with the natural heritage, every human dimension reflects the dictates of a dense dialogue with the natural context surrounding us.

The suggested conference endeavors to delve into the multifaceted relationship between human intervention and environmental dynamics, elucidating the intricate processes and outcomes stemming from this continuous interaction. By promoting a comprehensive dialogue between disciplines that embrace historical, archaeological, social, and literary perspectives, the event seeks to elucidate the nuanced ways in which human societies interacted with their environment, shaping and being shaped by it from ancient civilizations to modern times across the vast expanse of human history. With a set of diverse lenses shedding light on the different ways in which humankind and the environment cooperate in the development of spaces, the discussion aims to unravel the infinite manifestations of this inextricable tie, thereby hopefully contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex interrelationships that underpin the formation of human landscapes.

Those interested will receive a participation link after registering with the organisers Dr Stefania Alfarano or Sara Baldin MA.