Role of natural and cultural features in residents' perceptions of rural character

Abstract

Rural landscapes are rapidly changing as more families migrate in from cities and suburbs, yet there have been few systematic attempts to have residents describe exactly what rural character means to them. As part of a USDA Forest Service research program examining landscape change (Potts et al. 2004), this study focused on the landscape and residents of six townships in south central Michigan. Six groups of four to five residents each were transported throughout the townships to discuss landscape features that represent rural character. Several thematic preferences surfaced. Land use for residential development was a major concern among all of the residents. Depending on the type and location, subdivisions in agricultural areas were viewed either neutrally or negatively. Most residents found cleared lots with new houses built close to the road to be objectionable and preferred housing with vegetative screening. Woodlots, wetlands, and farmland also showed up in all six discussions as a positive attributes. Implications for land use planning are discussed.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2005 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Pynnonen, Dori; Propst, Dennis; Vogt, Christine; McDonough, Maureen. 2006. Role of natural and cultural features in residents'' perceptions of rural character. In: Peden, John G.; Schuster, Rudy M., comps., eds. Proceedings of the 2005 northeastern recreation research symposium; 2005 April 10-12; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-341. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 32-38.