New challenges in the field of spatial planning: landscapes

The European Landscape Convention (ELC) highlights the landscape as an holistic concept, which is important for individual and social well being and for quality of life. Landscape questions tend today to fall between the responsibilities of different sectors of society. The implications of the Convention for giving ‘landscape’ a higher status in spatial planning are discussed. Important challenges for planning that need to be focused from a landscape approach are discussed: the growing urbanization; the development and new roles of the urban fringe areas; new infrastructure landscapes; the mental landscapes of tomorrow; an holistic approach to landscape ecological planning and environmental policies and the need for co‐ordination of European planning issues that concern landscapes. Planning for good landscape qualities is not a new issue; many landscape architects and landscape planners have worked in the spirit of the ELC for decades. The importance of educating landscape architects and planners with an holistic approach is particularly addressed. Efforts for a more integrated landscape education, such as the European network LE:NOTRE, already exist and contribute to the implementation of the ELC.     

Evaluating Landscape for Shared Values: Tools, Principles, and Methods

The aim of the paper is to discuss the need for innovation in the landscape policies that were proclaimed by the European Landscape Convention (ELC), which promotes a change from policies stressing conservation to policies stressing a management approach to planning new landscapes. This change focuses on the need to define a new methodological approach to evaluate and promote landscape values as well as to define a process leading to shared values in reference to landscape. This article begins its research with the recent implementation of the ELC in some European Countries. On this basis, it presents an alternative definition of landscape, discusses the role of landscape evaluation, and identifies the different types of values involved in landscape.     

Evaluating Landscape for Shared Values: Tools,Principles, and Methods

The aim of the paper is to discuss the need for innovation in the landscape policies that were proclaimed by the European Landscape Convention (ELC), which promotes a change from policies stressing conservation to policies stressing a management approach to planning new landscapes. This change focuses on the need to define a new methodological approach to evaluate and promote landscape values as well as to define a process leading to shared values in reference to landscape. This article begins its research with the recent implementation of the ELC in some European Countries. On this basis, it presents an alternative definition of landscape, discusses the role of landscape evaluation, and identifies the different types of values involved in landscape.     

Landscape’s physiognomic structure: conceptual development and practical applications

The past decade has seen an increased interest in approaches for the identification and assessment of landscapes, which has been, in part, a response to the European Landscape Convention (ELC). In this article, we review landscape physiognomy, an important component of the Polish approach to the assessment and identification of its landscape. We address the relevance of physiognomy both in relation to the ELC and to the landscape character assessments approach, and then explore the theoretical basis of landscape physiognomic structure. We also expand the existing classification of landscape interiors; this is followed by combining three approaches: (1) physical geography in the field of comprehensive classification of natural landscapes; (2) landscape ecology studies on the spatial structure of land cover patches against the ‘landscape matrix’ and (3) the theory of landscape interiors. Presented ideas create the outline of the concept of landscape’s physiognomic structure.     

A relational approach to the implementation of the European Landscape Convention in Sweden

The European Landscape Convention (ELC) aims to promote landscape protection, management and planning and to organise European cooperation on landscape issues. The introduction of the ELC in 2000 created a need for further theoretical work within the field of landscape research, which has historically provided a weak theoretical basis for policy implementation. In this study, a relational approach was used to investigate the ongoing ELC implementation process in Sweden, illustrating government dynamics and highlighting efforts to transform discourses and practices. The conceptual framework used comprised three analytical components (policy community, policy meaning and strategy-making practice) and the relational approach was applied at national, regional and local policy levels. The results revealed both progress and obstacles to ELC implementation in Sweden and confirmed the usefulness of the relational approach.     

Exploring the national contexts and cultural ideas that preceded the Landscape Character Assessment method in England

Abstract

Countries ratifying the European Landscape Convention (ELC) agree to identify their landscapes, analyse their characteristics and assess the landscapes taking into account the values afforded them by the population. Some UK countries, such as England, are regarded as pioneers of these ideas and implementation of ELC principles even before it was drafted. Since the early 1990s, England (and Scotland) has been ahead of many countries in the development of methods for characterisation and identification of landscapes. However, such landscape assessment methods have been developed within a specific and distinctive historical context. This paper attempts to define the subtext of English landscape identity that may be ‘lost in translation’ or ignored when these methods are exported to other countries. The paper first outlines three major, interlinked aspects of ideas and societal development that have specifically affected development of landscape conservation and planning and landscape assessment methods in England, namely: (i) ideas from landscape conservation; (ii) countryside protection and planning in the early twentieth century; and (iii) institutionalisation and development of post-war planning and conservation practices. The paper also examines Landscape Character Assessment and discusses ways in which the national context may need to be considered when using this method.     

Valley landscape management: the context of a 'river contract' in the Semois valley, Belgium

A trans-boundary and multi-disciplinary approach to the river contract project for the Semois valley in Wallonia (Belgium) is described that provided the opportunity for a landscape-scale focus during actions to restore the watercourses and the associated valley area. A trans-boundary landscape survey was carried out under the context of the Interreg III European programme. This resulted in the rediscovery of lost views and viewpoints within the landscape and in the implementation of actions leading to the opening up of the valley, which provided opportunities to re-establish lost landscape features, such as hay meadows. The gathering of many partners in the negotiation process of this project can be seen as an example of 'landscape democratization' or participative management of landscapes in a trans-boundary and trans-disciplinary context and as such this project is a concrete realization of the aims of the European Landscape Convention (ELC).     

Valley landscape management: the context of a ‘river contract’ in the Semois valley,Belgium

A trans‐boundary and multi‐disciplinary approach to the river contract project for the Semois valley in Wallonia (Belgium) is described that provided the opportunity for a landscape‐scale focus during actions to restore the watercourses and the associated valley area. A trans‐boundary landscape survey was carried out under the context of the Interreg III European programme. This resulted in the rediscovery of lost views and viewpoints within the landscape and in the implementation of actions leading to the opening up of the valley, which provided opportunities to re‐establish lost landscape features, such as hay meadows. The gathering of many partners in the negotiation process of this project can be seen as an example of ‘landscape democratization’ or participative management of landscapes in a trans‐boundary and trans‐disciplinary context and as such this project is a concrete realization of the aims of the European Landscape Convention (ELC).     

《欧洲风景公约》及其实施导则解析：迈向综合整体的风景园林规划管理

《欧洲风景公约》是第一个将风景作为规范对象的国际公约,这标志着"风景"概念从科学知识转化为行为规范,并成为跨国治理的政策工具。欧洲风景公约作为"软法"的本质特征是其规定性与确定性,精确的概念和严密的逻辑是公约文件的基石。从法规文本解读的角度全面阐释了公约的风景定义及其重要意义;深入解析了公约的总体措施与行动框架,评述了风景知识与风景行动的相互关系;并对公约在国家层面实施的干预机制、具体的实施方法进行了详细的阐述与解释。     

Landscape planning: its contributions to the evolution of the profession of landscape architecture

Landscape planning, a subdiscipline of the field of landscape architecture, has helped define the profession over the past twenty five years. Landscape planning endorses the tenets of the Natural Environmental Policy Act [NEPA, 1969. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Public Law No. 91-190 91st Congress, second session (NEPA) pp. 1–5] and thereby promotes landscape architects and landscape planners as major players in changing landscapes. Changing landscapes is focused on developing valid designs that promote ecological integrity. Aesthetic form resulting from these changes is also a concern but must respect ecological function and structure first. Landscape planning will take on an even greater role in the future by; redefining the profession; by contributing to the knowledge base of good design decisions, and creating new advances in planning and design theory.     

Applicability of European landscape typology in Turkey (Çakırlar Watershed case/Antalya)

The aim of this study is to put forward Turkey as a case study of the applicability of the European approach to landscape characterisation studies at the local scale within the context of the European Landscape Convention. For this purpose, a classification of landscape types with the help of LANMAP typology is suggested at the European scale in a basin in Turkey where there are obvious differences in terms of landscape characteristics. In particular, this study examines the usability of a countrywide thematic database when making this classification. It is understood that a mapping system as well as a common nomenclature of types of land covered at the country scale is insufficient for the suggested methodology for Europe. Later, results of the continuation of a classification system at the local scale for landscape characterisation are discussed, and some deficiencies of LANMAP when characterising the landscapes at this scale are mentioned.     

The European Landscape Convention

Adopted in Florence (Italy) on 20 October 2000, the European Landscape Convention is aimed at promoting the protection, management and planning of European landscapes and organising European cooperation on landscape issues. It is the first international treaty to be exclusively concerned with all dimensions of European landscape. It applies to the entire territory of the Parties and relates to natural, urban and peri-urban areas, whether on land, water or sea. It therefore concerns not just remarkable landscapes but also ordinary everyday landscapes and blighted areas. The Convention represents an important contribution to the implementation of the objectives of the Council of Europe: these seek to protect Europeans' quality of life and well-being, taking into account landscape, cultural and natural values. The member states of the Council of Europe signatory to the European Landscape Convention declared their concern to achieve sustainable development based on a balanced and harmonious relationship between social needs, economic activity and the environment. The cultural dimension is also of fundamental importance.     

Fauna in wetland landscapes: a perception approach

Perception and observation of the faunal component of the landscape have not been sufficiently examined for wetlands in the past. In the present study, a methodological approach is followed based on a questionnaire that is used with different population groups involved in a wetland in southern Spain. Using this questionnaire, it is established that fauna, especially birds, is seen as a distinctive element of wetland landscapes. This study shows how the importance of the animal component goes beyond visual perception of the landscape, making a particular contribution to its sound dimension. Also identified are several factors that have a significant effect on the perception and observation of wetland fauna: knowledge about, interest in and familiarity with the subject. The results can be applied to the citizen participation policies favoured by the European Landscape Convention, as well as to the characterisation, protection, management and planning of landscapes where fauna is an appreciable element.     

The European Landscape Convention

Adopted in Florence (Italy) on 20 October 2000, the European Landscape Convention is aimed at promoting the protection, management and planning of European landscapes and organising European cooperation on landscape issues. It is the first international treaty to be exclusively concerned with all dimensions of European landscape. It applies to the entire territory of the Parties and relates to natural, urban and peri-urban areas, whether on land, water or sea. It therefore concerns not just remarkable landscapes but also ordinary everyday landscapes and blighted areas. The Convention represents an important contribution to the implementation of the objectives of the Council of Europe: these seek to protect Europeans' quality of life and well-being, taking into account landscape, cultural and natural values. The member states of the Council of Europe signatory to the European Landscape Convention declared their concern to achieve sustainable development based on a balanced and harmonious relationship between social needs, economic activity and the environment. The cultural dimension is also of fundamental importance.     

文化景观之热点议题

概述了文化景观在近期及可见未来的热点议题。在《保护世界文化和自然遗产公约》40周年庆典之际,突出强调了景观真实性和完整性、可持续景观管理议题,阐述了《全球景观公约》采纳的必要性,分析了联合国教科文组织近期通过的《关于城市历史景观的建议书》及其引发的争论,表述了对传统乡村景观、自然和人为因素威胁下的景观等议题的高度关注,指出针对热点景观议题亟须发展新战略、新政策,亟须国内、国际各个层面的通力协调与合作。     

Integrating Ecological,Social and Cultural Dimensions in the Implementation of the Landscape Convention

Implementation of the European Landscape Convention requires new tools that link ecological, social and cultural dimensions in practical planning. Here, we propose connectivity as a conceptual tool to include different dimensions into landscape and spatial planning. We present a short review of the connectivity concept in relation to ecological, social and cultural dimensions and illustrate it by examples from a real landscape planning case.     

《欧洲风景公约》:关于"文化景观"的一场思想革命

《欧洲风景公约》对欧洲的景观有了一个较之从前更为全面的理解。这个公约所包含的思想已开始反映在欧洲各国政府、环境机构以及欧洲大多数对景观感兴趣的相关团体的工作中。景观没有必要划分为"自然的"或"文化的"2类,因为欧洲所有的景观都已经或多或少地受到人类的影响。因而",文化景观"的术语显得过于累赘,所有欧洲景观都具有不同程度的文化性。然而,对景观进行分类仍然是个复杂的问题。不同的个人、组织和文化往往依据自身对自然长期的、不同程度的干预和联想发展出自身的价值。《欧洲风景公约》不期望一种景观价值凌驾于另一种之上,事实上《,欧洲风景公约》认识到,与那些通常被标识为具有全球重要性的景观一样,地方的和退化的景观对于社区或文化、社区居民或外来的造访者具有同样的重要性。这个公约在全欧洲的政府中将"普通"景观与"特殊"景观同等对待,这是具有革命性的创举。     

Eye-tracking Analysis in Landscape Perception Research: Influence of Photograph Properties and Landscape Characteristics

Abstract

The European Landscape Convention emphasises the need for public participation in landscape planning and management. This demands understanding of how people perceive and observe landscapes. This can objectively be measured using eye tracking, a system recording eye movements and fixations while observing images. In this study, 23 participants were asked to observe 90 landscape photographs, representing 18 landscape character types in Flanders (Belgium) differing in degree of openness and heterogeneity. For each landscape, five types of photographs were shown, varying in view angle. This experiment design allowed testing the effect of the landscape characteristics and photograph types on the observation pattern, measured by Eye-tracking Metrics (ETM). The results show that panoramic and detail photographs are observed differently than the other types. The degree of openness and heterogeneity also seems to exert a significant influence on the observation of the landscape.     

From urban beautification to a holistic approach: the discourses of ‘landscape’ in the Arab Middle East

The English word and Western idea of landscape was introduced during the colonial restructuring of Arab cities in the early decades of the twentieth century. Thereafter, landscape came to be understood predominantly in the context of urban modernity, associated with the Western picturesque tradition adopted in landscaping municipal parks and public urban spaces. The formal conception that prevails today precludes a broader appreciation of landscape as a source of livelihood, the fabric of lived-in experiences and collective identities, just as it reduces the scope of landscape architecture, an emerging profession in the Arab Middle East, to urban beautification. Inspired by the integrative and community-centred conception advanced by the European Landscape Convention, this paper argues for a holistic landscape approach that contributes to development while responding to regional environmental and ecological constraints. The methodology of ecological landscape design is applied to secure a holistic reading of people and place and to engender integrative solutions that address socio-economic, environmental and heritage concerns. A selection of projects are cited to demonstrate the potential of a holistic approach in changing current limited perceptions of landscape and in expanding the discourse of landscape in the region beyond the current focus on appearance and beautification.     

塑造21世纪—哈佛设计学院的风景园林方向

风景园林以及与风景和人居相关的设计领域正在塑造这个新的世纪。这种工作要有新的紧迫感,正确对待风景园林学科的历史根源,同时又需要在风景园林规划与设计领域中有真正的革新和创造。其中以下三个方面尤其值得关注:城市地区大规模扩张前提下新城市风景园林的品质、意义和持久性,处理大地上工业活动遗留物,并引导那些对国家经济发展来说依然十分重要的现有或未来工业正确的发展,应对由于气候、社会、文化与环境上的改变而对全球自然资源与生态可持续性产生的紧迫的、全球性的巨大压力。在哈佛设计学院风景园林系的学术研究和教学工作中,目前许多新主题和方向正在展开,它们都涉及到以上关注点。这些内容范围和与之相关的知识基础对以上方面提出了重要课题,即将来的设计领域的范围,全球化及其对设计的影响,风景园林师的任务将来不仅要塑造全球的风景更要处理当地乃至全球的社区的发展与健康的多种问题,也要重塑自然环境与人工世界的联系。