Solving the Land-Use Jigsaw at Go Falkland 2024
A SUMMARY OF OUR FEELDNOTES
Attending Go Falkland 2024, particularly the talk Solving the Land-Use Jigsaw by SEDA (Scottish Ecological Design Association), left us much to chew on. In a world where land, food systems, and rural communities are tangled in a complex web of systemic challenges, it's clear that our approach to designing rural futures needs to evolve.
We're talking about much more than just fields and forests—this is about how we live, work, and eat in a world where those fundamental processes are often disconnected from each other. Here are some key takeaways from the event and thoughts on what's next for rural place-making.
The Land-Use Jigsaw: More Than Pieces on a Board
In SEDA's talk, the concept of solving the land-use puzzle wasn't just a metaphor—it was a challenge to rethink how we manage, share, and interact with our landscapes. Too often, the systems that govern land use are fragmented, siloed, and resistant to integration. We heard a lot about the need to shift from mono-functional land use to something more multifunctional and holistic.
For instance, field Margins and Riparian Buffers were discussed as critical pieces of this puzzle. These edges of fields or riverbanks are often seen as marginal, but in reality, they are key spaces that can boost biodiversity, improve water quality, and enhance resilience to climate impacts. Yet, how often do they factor into the bigger decisions made around land use? Not nearly enough.
We see an opportunity to experiment here—to turn these "margins" into vital, multifunctional areas that serve people, wildlife, and the landscape equally. Let's stop treating these spaces as afterthoughts.
Who's Really Making the Decisions?
A big question at Go Falkland was: Who is making the decisions about land use, and at what scale? Local governance and regional policies are supposed to set the course, but they're often stuck in rigid frameworks that fail to adapt to our changing needs.
There was a call for more local decision-making power, but that power has to come with the courage to make mistakes and take risks. We can't just sit around waiting for permission to act—whether it's rethinking agricultural practices, rewilding landscapes, or developing community-driven place plans. Leadership at both local and national levels needs to become more proactive and less bogged down by bureaucratic inertia.
We need to break out of these systems that lock us in silos and embrace more connected conversations. What would happen if farmers, ecologists, planners, and the general public all sat down together to shape a shared vision of the future?
The Food System: Broken, or Just Misaligned?
Another major theme was Scotland's food system. As we explored at Go Falkland, the system isn't entirely broken (and let's not forget it's been designed to work the way it does), but it's undoubtedly misaligned. There's a deep imbalance between those who produce our food and those who consume it—and the multi-million-pound businesses that profit from the whole process often have little connection to the land itself.
This raises the question: Who should really benefit from the land? Should it be the corporate entities extracting profit, or should the benefits remain more local, more sustainable, and more equitable?
It's time we started asking, not just what we are doing with our land, but who we are doing it for. Too often, discussions around land, food, and climate happen in echo chambers filled with experts but devoid of ordinary voices. We have to step outside of these chambers and ask everyday people: What do they want? What do they envision for their communities?
The Just Transition: Winners and Losers
As we shift towards more sustainable land use and food systems, we can't overlook the fact that there will be winners and losers. The Just Transition—shifting jobs, practices, and industries to more sustainable models—was another critical topic. What happens to those people whose livelihoods are tied to the old way of doing things?
For rural futures to be truly just, we must ensure that the transition doesn't leave behind those who can't easily adapt It's not enough to change systems on paper; we need real-world solutions that include everyone. This will take nuance, careful planning, and a lot of empathy.
Actionable Steps: Let's Get to Work
Here at Feeldwork, we believe in putting ideas into practice. That's why we're working on place-planning with Rural Communities, helping them map out what their landscapes and lives could look like in the next 10-15 years. Whether it's working with local development trusts, or facilitating community-led initiatives, we are committed to making Rural spaces more resilient, connected, and vibrant.
We're also advocating for more local governance systems that empower Rural communities to make decisions about their land use. It's time to rethink land ownership, and we need leadership willing to push for these changes—leadership that isn't afraid to make mistakes along the way. It's important that rural communities have their own mechanisms for decision-making and telling their own stories about the future. For too long, decisions about the rural have happened in the urban areas, and the lack of understanding, nuance, and equity has caused problems over decades in these spaces.
We're inspired by the conversations at Go Falkland and motivated to take the next steps. If you're part of a community ready to think differently about its future, we want to hear from you. Feeldwork is here to help you navigate the land-use jigsaw and develop place plans that truly reflect the needs and desires of local people.
Together, we can create rural futures that are not just sustainable but truly radical and flourishing.
Let's start planning.
Get in Touch
Whether you're looking to develop a place plan, need advice on rural land use, or want to explore how your community can thrive in the coming decades, Feeldwork is here to help. Contact us for a consultation, and let's work together on building a future that works for everyone.
