Changing educational landscapes: An introduction

Abstract

Landscapes change. Virgin forests are cut down and turned into wheat fields and pasturelands; contaminated swamps are drained to become fertile lands; impressive dams in river valleys create artificial lakes for irrigation and hydroelectric power production; tunnels are cut through mountains or under seabeds to shorten travel; roads and highways score the countryside. Depending on his technological capacity, man systematically changes natural landscapes. To serve his interests and needs, he gradually, purposefully, and selectively transforms his environment, preserving however those landmarks that are of significant value for him. Perhaps more representative of any of these changes are those related to the birth and growth of a modern city, like the Greek city of Athens that hosted the 23rd CESE Conference. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.