drs. M.A. (Mark) Raat, MA

The Historical Long-term Development of the Frisian Veenweide 

One of the most urgent socio-political themes in the Dutch province Fryslân is the debate about the future of the peatland area (Veenweide). This region faces a series of environmental challenges, of which subsidence of the soil is the foremost urgent. The debate about governmental measures deeply divides Frisian stakeholders. In the current search for a long-term sustainable future, history could provide insights on past phases of great transformations. From the early medieval period on, inhabitants grappled with environmental issues. People shaped the landscape, managed the water level, reclaimed land, extracted peat and dried wetland for agricultural use. In the tradition of Fernand Braudel’s longue durée my PhD research aims to identify historical continuity’s and discontinuity’s. There is a world to win if we reflect on the identity of the region and not only know how the area was formed, but also why.

This research takes places at the Fryske Akademy, in collaboration with the Fries Sociaal Planbureau. Both institutes allign with a project of the Inspiratieteam Toekomst Friese Veenweide (ITV) and Nationaal Park Alde Feanen. I am affliliated with the RUG as external PhD candidate.