Assessment of the landscape identity through participation in the framework of a landscape character research

  • Péter Csorba Department of Landscape Protection and Environmental Geography, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6627-6251
  • Sándor Jombach Department of Landscape Planning and Regional Development, Institute of Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Garden Art, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3174-4198
  • Zsombor Boromisza Department of Landscape Protection and Reclamation, Institute of Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Garden Art, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9316-6258
  • Zoltán Túri Department of Physical Geography and Geoinformatics, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4821-4350
  • Krisztina Bánóczki Doctoral School of Geosciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
  • Éva Konkoly-Gyuró Institute of Social and Communication Sciences, Benedek Elek Faculty of Pedagogy, University of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4951-9068
Keywords: landscape identity, landscape character, community research, participatory planning, European Landscape Convention

Abstract

The physical and emotional character of the landscape is an increasingly important ecosystem service factor in Hungary, too, and the strong identity of residents with the landscape is part of their well-being. Between 2016 and 2022, we prepared the landscape character map of the entire country. One of the essential elements of the project was that in four study areas – Sopron–Lake Fertő region (containing Sopron Mountains and Basin together with Lake Fertő), Gerecse Mountains, Tápió-vidék region and Tiszazug region – as landscape units, we tried to reveal the feelings of the residents related to the landscape using different methods. One of the most effective tools was surveys organised in workshops (personal or online) when we inquired about how the residents see landscape patterns, land use, and the changes in the surroundings of their settlements. One of the most important lessons learned from the study areas was that the local citizens usually have an indisposition for large-scale alterations of the accustomed environment, which leads to less familiar feelings and weakens the near natural character of the landscape. The results were compared with international experience.

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Published
2024-06-29
How to Cite
CsorbaP., JombachS., BoromiszaZ., TúriZ., Bánóczki K., & Konkoly-Gyuró Éva. (2024). Assessment of the landscape identity through participation in the framework of a landscape character research. Hungarian Geographical Bulletin, 73(2), 147-163. https://doi.org/10.15201/hungeobull.73.2.3
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Articles