The European Landscape Convention focuses on the protection, management, and planning of landscapes in Europe. It seeks to promote a balanced and sustainable approach to landscape management, recognizing the cultural, environmental, and social dimensions of landscapes and involving the public in decision-making processes. It underscores the importance of preserving and enhancing the quality of landscapes for the well-being of present and future generations.
The convention provides a broad and inclusive definition of landscape. It considers landscape as an area perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors. It emphasizes the importance of considering the cultural, ecological, environmental, and social dimensions of landscapes, introducing a holistic and integrated approach to the landscape protection and management.
The convention encourages public participation in the identification, planning, and management of landscapes, recognizing that individuals and communities have a stake in the landscapes they inhabit. The convention promotes educational and training initiatives to enhance public awareness and understanding of landscapes. It recognizes the role of education in fostering a sense of responsibility and appreciation for landscapes. It also encourages the integration of landscape concerns into other sectoral policies such as spatial planning, agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
Finally, the convention encourages international cooperation among states to address transboundary landscape issues. This cooperation may involve joint efforts in research, planning, and the exchange of expertise and best practices.
Law 3827/2010 ratifies the European Convention of the Landscape, signed in Florence in 2000.
