This book includes multi-national research studies (social and natural
science research, as well as more directly practical university-based
knowledge) about cultural heritage, land, and societal development in
varied countries. The book is particularly about land use (as a
fundamental aspect of the environment) and its role in development
(especially sustainable development). Many of the studies are about
topics concerning the transition from more rural to more urbanized land
areas. However, some studies concern other types of changes. This
includes general attention to globalization and nation-state dimensions
of change. Nonetheless, there are interpretations communicated of unique
histories at differing scales in the researches here. There is often a
focus on more uniquely local and regional territories (including
attention to smaller-scale land use) and an interest in future
possibilities that conserve positive features of past terrain.