Beyond the Edge and in Between: (Re)conceptualizing the Rural–Urban Interface as Meaning–Model–Metaphor

Abstract

As examinations of the rural–urban interface move beyond a focus on the rural or urban fringe as a location and move toward examining the patterns and processes that both divide and link rural and urban places, a broader (re)conceptualization of the rural–urban interface becomes increasingly important. Thus far the question of boundaries and interfaces between so-called urban and rural locales has mostly revolved around where and when such boundaries occur (including significant coverage of the differences and conflicts between urban vs. rural people), rather than asking what physical or social functions are being served by the rural–urban interface itself. In response, I (re)frame the rural–urban interface not only as a boundary between two distinct spaces but also as a conduit, a place of exchange, and a flux point between them. Using a particular case of contested ecologies in the exurban Sierra Nevada foothills of California, I (re)conceptualize the rural–urban interface as meaning, model, and metaphor (MMM), situating contrasting people and places in an ongoing negotiation of place and environmental meaning along the (ex)urbanizing edge. Although the differences between rural and urban are increasingly unclear, the division continues to be compelling from environmental and sociopolitical standpoints. I argue that (perceived) boundaries are instrumental in understanding physical–material change and for mitigating social conflicts occurring across them. As such, attention to the patterns, processes, and flows that connect or separate rural and urban areas is critical to forging effective and long-lasting solutions to contemporary social, economic, and environmental problems.

当城乡界面的研究超越了聚焦作为区位的城乡边缘, 并迈向检视同时分隔和连结城市与乡村地方的模式及过程时, 对于城乡界面进行更广泛的 (再) 概念化, 便越来越重要。截至目前为止, 所谓的城市和乡村场所之间的边界和界面之问题, 主要围绕着这些边界在何处与何时发生 (包括对于城市和乡村人群之间的差异和冲突的显着涵盖), 而非质问什麽样的物理或社会功能由城乡界面本身获得满足。为了回应上述问题, 我不仅将城乡界面 (再) 架构为两个不同空间之间的界限, 同时也是两地之间的导管、交换之地与变迁点。我运用加州内华达山脉山麓丘陵的城市远郊中的争夺生态之特定案例, (再) 概念化城乡界面作为意义、典范和象徵 (MMM), 将 (过往) 城市化边缘中截然不同的人们和地方置放在地方和环境意义的持续协商之中。尽管乡村和城市的差异逐渐模煳不清, 但从环境和社会政治的角度而言, 该界分仍持续存在。我主张, (感知的) 界限有助于理解物理—物质变迁和减缓其中所发生的社会冲突。于此, 关注连结或区分城市和乡村地区的模式、过程和流动, 对于打造对当代社会、经济与环境问题而言有效且持久的解决方案是非常关键的。

A medida que los exámenes de la interfaz rural–urbana se desplazan más allá de puntos de atención colocados sobre el borde rural o el urbano, como una localización, y se extienden al examen de los patrones y procesos que bien dividen o conectan los lugares rurales y urbanos, se hace cada vez más imperiosa una más amplia (re)conceptualización de esa interfaz rural-urbana. Hasta este momento la cuestión de límites e interfaces entre las llamadas zonas urbanas y rurales ha girado principalmente alrededor de dónde y cuándo ocurren esos límites (incluyendo una cobertura significativa de las diferencias y conflictos que se presentan entre la gente urbana contra la rural), en vez de preguntarse qué funciones físicas o sociales están siendo servidas por la propia interfaz rural–urbana. Como respuesta a este interrogante, yo (re)formulo la interfaz rural–urbana no solamente como un límite entre dos espacios distintos, sino también como un conducto, un lugar de intercambio y un punto de flujo entre aquellos. Tomando como ejemplo un caso particular de ecologías disputadas en las colinas piedemontanas de la extraurbana Sierra Nevada de California, (re)conceptualizo la interfaz rural–urbana como mensaje de significado, modelo y metáfora (MMM) situando la gente y los lugares dentro de una negociación en desarrollo sobre el significado de lugar y entorno a lo largo del lindero (ex)urbanizante. Aunque cada vez son menos claras las diferencias entre lo rural y lo urbano, la división sigue siendo convincente desde los puntos de vista ambientales y sociopolíticos. Yo sostengo que los límites (percibidos) son instrumentales para entender el cambio físico–material y para aminorar los conflictos sociales que ocurren a través de aquellos. Entonces, la atención a estos patrones, procesos y flujos que conectan o separan las áreas rurales es crítica para forjar soluciones efectivas y duraderas a los problemas sociales, económicos y ambientales contemporáneos.

Key Words:

• borders and boundaries
• California
• contested ecologies
• exurbia
• rural–urban interface
• Sierra Nevada foothills

关键词:

• 国界与边界, 加州, 争夺生态, 城市远郊, 城乡界面, 内华达山脉山麓丘陵。

Palabras clave:

• límites y fronteras
• California
• ecologías disputadas
• exurbio
• interfaz rural–urbana
• piedemonte de la Sierra Nevada

Acknowledgments

I would like to extend my deepest and heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ryan Galt, who not only shepherded me through the research process that produced this article but who also guided me through the equally long process of publication of this article (and others). The value of such a true mentor is hard to describe, so I will put it very simply: Thank you for your trusted guidance and support, Ryan. I would also like to acknowledge and appreciate the feedback and assistance provided by Deborah Elliott-Fisk, Mary Cadenasso, Bettina Ng'weno, Jonathon London, Trina Filan, Laura Taylor, Garrett Wolf, and David Gimnich through the various stages of completing this work. In addition, I received helpful reviews and suggestions from several anonymous reviewers. With all of this input, this work has been much improved from its original state; any remaining errors are my own.

Note

Notes

1 It must also be noted, though, that urban places are also seen as repositories of culture and sophistication; hence the other dictionary definition of urbanity, that which is refined, elegant, and civilized.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Colleen C. Hiner

COLLEEN C. HINER is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666. E-mail: [email protected]. She is a rural geographer and political ecologist with specialties in land and environmental management; (ex)urbanization; (rural) sustainability and tourism; wine, beer, and cider geographies (“fermented landscapes”); and agriculture (urban, periurban, and sustainable).