Last edited 22 Apr 2022

Landscape management

Assessing landscape value outside national designations, Technical Guidance Note 02/21, published by the Landscape Institute in 2021, defines landscape management as: ‘Action, from a perspective of sustainable development, to ensure the regular upkeep of a landscape, so as to guide and harmonise changes which are brought about by social, economic and environmental processes.’

Glossary of the Information System of the Council of Europe Landscape Convention, Spatial planning and landscape, No. 106, published by the Council of Europe in 2018, states: ‘According to the Council of Europe Landscape Convention, landscape management “means action, from a perspective of sustainable development, to ensure the regular upkeep of a landscape, so as to guide and harmonise Sustainable landscape protection, management and planning changes which are brought about by social, economic and environmental processes”. It concerns first and foremost “everyday landscapes”, which constitute surroundings where people live. Landscape management continues over time and aims to orient the forces and activities likely to alter the landscape, in accordance with landscape quality objectives. The activities possible in the context of landscape management should be adjusted to changes in the social, economic and natural situation. Landscape management is in this sense a “spatial development project” taking account of public aspirations, the historical context, spatial features and the safeguarding of access to natural resources.’