Cultural Ecosystem Services and Rural-Urban Relations: Towards a Territorial Wellbeing Approach

Goodwin-Hawkins, Bryonny ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9399-5486, Arcuri, Sabrina and Loupa-Ramos, Isabel (2026) Cultural Ecosystem Services and Rural-Urban Relations: Towards a Territorial Wellbeing Approach. In: Role of Ecosystem Services in Enabling Rural-Urban Synergies. Landscape Series, 20 . Springer, pp. 261-277. ISBN 9783031981531

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Text 15424 Goodwin-Hawkins, Arcuri, Loupa-Romas (2026) Cultural ecocsystem services and rural-urban relations - towards a territorial wellbeing approach.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (349kB) | Preview

Abstract

Human interactions with ecosystems create numerous benefits. Until recently, the cultural benefits of ecosystem services had received less attention than environmental goods and economic opportunities, even though cultural ecosystem services (CES) are recognised as having important roles to play in supporting human well-being. In this chapter, we explore CES through the spatial lens of rural-urban relations, with the aim to move beyond traditional approaches looking at well-being benefits that urban dwellers might derive from rural “containers” of ecosystem services. Rather, we are interested in rural-urban relations as a locus for cultural ecosystem services that reveals complexity and multiplicity, interdependency and inequity. By drawing on three descriptive case studies—Garfagnana (Italy), the Cambrian Mountains (Wales) and Snowdonia (Wales)—we offer different views into the ways that CES emerge at the interface between environmental spaces and cultural practices. In particular, we highlight the potential for trade-offs, inequity and contestation. By reflecting on the complexities that arise from the rural-urban perspective on CES, we contribute to an emerging research agenda on territorial well-being.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	CES; Rural-urban; Well-being; Mutual benefit; Identities; Capabilities; Experiences; Cultural practices
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Depositing User:	Anna Kerr
Date Deposited:	09 Oct 2025 10:03
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2025 10:15
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15424

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