Arler, F., 2000, Aspects of landscape or nature quality, in: Landscape ecology, 15,
- Author : Arler, F.
- Year : 2000
- Journal/Series : Landscape ecology
- Volume Number (CONSECUTIVE: Counting all Volumes of this Journal ever published) : 15
- Pages : 291-302
- Abstract in English : Landscape of nature quality has become a key concept (in Denmark) in relation to nature policy and landscape planning. The author stresses: Instead of looking at the landscape either as a medium for productive activities, as a recipient for emissions from human activities, or as a container of remnants of ‘authentic’ nature which should be left as untouched as possible, there seems to be a growing interest in landscapes as reservoirs of a series of more specific, recognizable landscape or nature qualities. Qualities, some of which may be highly valuable, e.g., in relation to local identity. In a situation like this there seems to be a significant need for more systematic and integrating analysis on what should be included in the concept of landscape or nature quality. Landscape or nature quality is a much broader concept, involving a series of other values and elements, which should also be taken into consideration whenever nature quality is on the agenda. In this paper the author will try to do two things: a. discuss the point of view from which nature and landscape qualities become visible, and where these qualities may be reflected on and discussed in a reasonable way; b. bring attention to different kinds of values and elements, some of which lie beyond those included in the nature quality plans presented so far. The intention of the author is opening up the discussion about landscape or nature quality to matters which are too often left out in the cold, or which are only dealt with in passing. …The experience of landscape quality, or coexistence with nature quality is a central part of the good life. The presence of such qualities can make life richer. In the context of this paper the preservation of landscape and nature quality is, if not identical with the preservation of opportunities for good lives for ourselves as well for others, including future generations. This discussion of these qualities can be seen to be first and foremost an ethical debate. The author argue, that quality should not be conceived a mere expressions of private or subjective preferences. Even in the case they are not any objective or scientific method dealing with them, they are still values which can be shared, reflected on, and discussed in a reasonable way. The author is furthermore dealing with qualities related to: biodiversity, atmospheres and characters of places, pictorial qualities, and qualities related to narrativity.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: landscape quality, nature quality, quality, biodiversity, characters of places, pictorial qualities, narrativity (can be related with sense of place).