Final answer:
Landscapes are active participants in shaping cultural norms and identities, reflecting and influencing societal behavior. Cultural forces manifest in physical and symbolic elements of the landscape, which serve as both a reflection and determinant of societal values, fears, and aspirations. By observing and interpreting these landscapes, we can read the cultural histories and societal forces at play.
Step-by-step explanation:
The landscape is much more than a passive reflection of culture; it is an active participant in the shaping of cultural norms and identities. According to Schein, the landscape "is not innocent," signifying that it plays a role in influencing societal behavior and attitudes. Alderman also emphasizes the interactive nature of landscapes by stating that they participate in making certain cultural relations and identities appear normal. The cultural landscape is comprised of both the physical modifications and the symbolic meanings ascribed to those modifications by society. Aspects such as architecture, signs, and spatial organization are manifestations of cultural forces, including religion, language, ethnicity, norms, and heritage. These elements don't merely mirror society; they also shape it. Mentifacts like language, when written on signs in the environment, tell stories that may differ from what is visibly present in a landscape, exemplifying the complex dialogue between place and cultural identity.
Such landscapes also have a gendered component as explored by feminist geographers. The ways in which landscapes are used and interpreted can reveal underlying gender roles and help evolve those roles within society. Moreover, everyday landscapes or vernacular landscapes provide an unconscious autobiography of the values, aspirations, and fears of a society. By learning to read landscapes, one can gain insights into cultural histories and the forces shaping them. This includes understanding the religious practices and symbols that shape the religious landscape and affect the beliefs and religious practices of its adherents.