Landscape Observatory - Landscape quality objectives for Catalonia

The European Landscape Convention is urging the various European societies to define their landscape quality objectives. As a meeting point for the aspirations of the general public, the opinions of experts and public policies in relation to landscape, the landscape quality objectives are a way of shaping, in a reliable form and following a thorough process of public consultation and participation, the final goal which a society has set itself in terms of landscape improvement. This was one of the most significant conclusions of the 5th Meeting of Workshops for the implementation of the European Landscape Convention, organised in Girona in September 2006 by the Council of Europe, under the title “Landscape quality objectives: from theory to practice”.

Landscape quality objectives are a response to the question, so simple and so complex at the same time, of “What landscape do we want?” As one of the basic pillars of the European Landscape Convention and, by rebound, of the Act for the Protection, Planning and Management of the Landscape of Catalonia, the landscape quality objectives become a point of reference of the first order for territorial and sector policies, entities and society in general, so as to continue advancing towards a country with better landscapes, reflecting positively on the quality of life of the population.

The landscape quality objectives have, therefore, a strategic rank and are instrumental in advancing towards a new culture of management and planning of the territory which requires large doses of landscape sensitivity from all the agents who take part in it and from society in general.

In addition to their impact on the mechanisms of planning, whether territorial, town and country or sector, the landscape quality objectives also have a function in increasing public awareness of landscape. These landscape quality objectives need to act as a guide and framework of reference not only for the Authorities, at whatever level, but also for the public in general, in the ambit of civil society as normally understood and for individuals.

The landscape catalogues of Catalonia prepared by the Landscape Observatory are the principal instruments envisaged in the Landscape Act for the definition of landscape quality objectives in Catalonia. In the landscape catalogues, the landscape quality objectives are prepared from the attributes, values and challenges identified in Catalan landscapes, after collecting opinions from the general public and the principal social and financial agents present in each area. The objectives are formulated for each of the seven territorial sections of Catalonia (corresponding to the seven regions in which the administrative political structure of the country will be organised in the future) and for each landscape unit identified in the catalogues themselves. A landscape unit is understood to mean the parts of the territory which have the same landscape character and, therefore, are individually differentiated from the rest.

From the long and varied list of landscape quality objectives defined in the landscape catalogues, both for the seven regions and for each landscape unit, there emerge ten which refer to aspects common to the greater part of Catalonia: these are the landscape quality objectives for Catalonia. A list of these ten landscape quality objectives completes the structure of the landscape catalogues, as can be seen in the following figure:

Well preserved, planned and managed landscapes, independently of their type (urban, suburban, rural or natural) and their character.

Lively and dynamic landscapes – those existing and those newly created by intervention – capable of absorbing the inevitable territorial transformations without losing their individuality.

Heterogeneous landscapes, reflecting the rich diversity of Catalan landscape and avoiding homogenisation.

Orderly and harmonious landscapes, avoiding disruption and fragmentation.

Character landscapes, far from trivialisation.

Landscapes which retain and reinforce their references and values, both tangible and intangible (ecological, historical, aesthetic, social, productive, symbolic and identifying).

Landscapes always respectful of the legacy of the past.

Landscapes which transmit tranquillity , free of dissonant elements, discordant sounds and pollution by light or smells.

Landscapes which can be enjoyed without imperilling their heritage and individuality.

Landscapes which pertain to social diversity and contribute to the individual and social welfare of the population.