PRESENTATION 1: ELC What does it mean to your organisation?
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PRESENTATION 1: ELC What does it mean to your organisation?
This Presentation: • The importance of landscape; • Briefing on the ELC; • Benefits of engaging with the ELC
The ELC Definition of Landscape “landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”
The Importance of Landscape Landscapes are everywhere and provide the context to everyday life – a physical and emotional presence • quotidian, ordinary, commonplace; • not just the special; • easy to take for granted.
The Importance of Landscape
Landscapes define locality and sense of place –
central to defining national, regional and local
identity
• The landscape of England shows great diversity,
with different character reflecting different physical
influences and human histories;
• These different landscapes have their own sense
of place that defines locality and makes one place
different from another;
• Differences in landscape character play on all the
senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, touch both
day and night and through the seasons
The Importance of Landscape
Landscapes are imbued with personal values
• They define home;
• They provide continuity in a fast changing world;
• Local communities want to conserve and enhance
them;
• “Areas as perceived by people”;
• work commissioned by NE is now looking at how
people ‘Experience Landscapes’ – the experiential
qualities of landscape.
“The solemn slope of mighty limbs sleep” W. H. Hudson
“Blunt bow-headed whale-back mountains” Kipling
The Importance of Landscape
Landscapes are the meeting ground between cultural
and natural influences
Different eras of history are etched into the landscape
Somerset Levels High Wield
The Importance of Landscape
Landscapes link the past with the present and
the future
• Landscapes provide continuity from generation
to generation;
• But landscapes have and continue to change;
• the challenge is to manage change to achieve
the landscapes that we want.
The Importance of Landscape
Landscapes are the product of multiple decisions through
history
Future fundamental drivers of change are associated with:
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Population growth and desire for rising standards
of living (driving policy; technological advancement;
and social expectations and needs)
The Importance of Landscape
The Importance of Landscape Landscapes perform a wide range of functions which are central to sustainability and to human survival Social: Central to: place making; community cohesion; quality of life; and health and well-being Economic: Provides the backdrop to economic activity; is an economic asset worth some £8 – 10 billion per England region; and is a vital resource for recreation; leisure and tourism Environmental: How landscapes are managed affects the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity; cultural heritage and natural resource protection.
Ecosystem services (MA)
- linking required functions with desired landscapes
Provisioning Regulating Cultural
Food Air quality Aesthetic values
Fibre Climate regulation Sense of place
Fuel Water regulation Cultural heritage
Genetic diversity Erosion control Knowledge
Water Water purification Recreation
Pollination
Natural hazards Biodiversity for
(coastal flooding) its own sakeThe Importance of Landscape
Planning for future landscapes requires integrated
thinking and working
• Landscapes are on the receiving end of many
decisions;
• Everyone benefits from good landscapes;
• But few take responsibility for landscape (it is
assumed – often taken for granted);
• Landscapes take the hits and continue to give but are
becoming increasingly fragile;
• We are all responsible for the landscapes we get;
• Multi-functional landscapes are the only sustainable
way forward.The ELC Definition of Landscape “landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”
A purposely non-scientific definition that should resonate
widely:
• Landscape is important, not as just scenery or a
backdrop, but because it links culture with nature,
and past with present.
• Landscape has many values not all of them
tangible; and it matters to people.
• It puts emphasis on the whole landscape not just
the ‘best bits’ and applies to all landscapes
everywhere and in any condition.
• The ELC is forward looking in its approach, and
recognises the dynamic nature of landscape.ELC Background
• the first international
instrument to deal in an
integrated manner with the
whole landscape;
• gives an international
context for landscape;
• places landscape alongside
biodiversity and cultural
heritage.ELC Background
• adopted and promoted by the Council of Europe. It is a
Treaty and not an EU Directive;
• drafted in a flexible manner allowing individual states to
interpret in their own way to achieve its overall aims;
• seeks to influence rather than direct;.
• the ELC was signed by the UK government in February
2006, ratified in November 2006, came into effect in
March 2007.Implementation of the ELC in
England – The Framework
• Defra has established a small England Project group
(EPG);
• An overall strategy – A Framework for Implementation in
England, has been drawn up by Defra, Natural England
and English Heritage;
• The Framework seeks to strengthen the protection,
management and planning of landscapes in England by
providing a structure for Action Plans of partners and
stakeholders.
This project - Natural England is currently preparing
guidelines on the implementation of the ELC. It seeks to guide
and influence organisations so that they can effectively engage
with the ELC to help deliver their own objectives.What Does the Convention do?
18 Articles: Article 5: General Measures,
Article 6: Specific Measures
In summary:
• Recognise landscapes in law;
• Develop landscape policies for the protection,
management and planning of landscapes;
• Establish procedures for the participation of the general
public and other stakeholders in the creation and
implementation of landscape policies.
+ Integration of landscape into all relevant areas of policy,
including cultural, economic and social policies. It also seeks
European co-operation. (see 10 key actions)What are the Benefits of Engaging
with the ELC – Some Synergies
National Policy Priorities
Economic Social Environment
• economic • community cohesion • climate change mitigation
growth and and adaptation
employment • lifelong learning/
volunteering • protecting and, enhancing
• regeneration and managing the
• healthy communities environment
• sustainable
communities • quality of life • reducing the need to travel
• place making/place • place making/place shaping
shaping
• ecosystem servicesBenefits of Engaging with the ELC
and Synergies - Economic
How could engaging
Theme and sub areas Organisations/partners with the ELC benefit?
Economic: RDA/Govt office; Sustainable
Economic growth/ Local authorities; development within
employment; Infrastructure environmental
Sustainable providers/ utilities; limits/capacity;
communities; Development Clear understanding of
Regeneration companies/consortia place/context;
Landscape visions help
to articulate spatial
planning;
Landscape strategies/
LQO’s guide/inform
design principles
Place, context, character and quality
LANDSCAPEBenefits of Engaging with the ELC
and Synergies - Social
How could engaging
Theme and sub areas Organisations/partners with the ELC benefit?
Social: CLG; Holistic, character
Community Government offices; based landscape
cohesion; Local authorities; planning and
Lifelong learning Agencies, e.g. Natural recreational/access
/volunteering; England/English enhancement;
Healthy Heritage; Interpretation and
communities; Education sector; education; Green
Quality of life; Tourism partnerships infrastructure.
Place making/
place shaping Incorporate values into
landscape visions. Set
out potential for
sensitively designed
places- social/
Common ground; community focus community assets
LANDSCAPEBenefits of Engaging with the ELC
and Synergies - Environment
How could engaging
Theme and sub areas Organisations/partners with the ELC benefit?
Environmental: CLG; Potential to
Climate change DEFRA; ‘futureproof’ landscape
mitigation/ Government offices; visions re: climate
adaptation; Local authorities; change;
Protecting, Agencies e.g. Natural Integrated landscape
enhancing and England, Forestry planning as context to
managing the Commission, biodiversity/green
environment; Environment Agency; infrastructure projects,
Reducing the National Parks/AONBs; through landscape
need to travel; Wildlife Trusts; visions/strategies/
Place making/ Landowners; LQOs;
place shaping; Developers/ Landscape restoration
Ecosystem infrastructure and and enhancement for
services utilities multiple benefits
Multiple benefits or ‘multi functionality’
LANDSCAPEThis Workshop:
“to promote and co-ordinate actions within the ELC
Implementation Framework to key audiences”
England Framework for Implementation
NE Guidelines on:
• The integration of the ELC into plans, policies and
strategies;
• The development of a specific ELC Action Plan.
Our thinking so far
Your feedback on what is useful and what further guidance is
neededWhere to get Further Information
on the ELC
The full text of the European Landscape Convention and
details of its current status and on going work across
Europe can be found at:
www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/conventions/landscape
The Landscape Character Network provides a ELC
resources section www.landscapecharacter.org.ukYou can also read
