Beeldbepalende

Beeldbepalende is a Dutch adjective used to describe objects, buildings, landscapes or elements that strongly shape the visual character of a place. The term literally means "image-determining" and is commonly applied in urban planning, heritage policy and everyday speech to indicate features that form recognizable landmarks or define a locale's appearance.

In practice, beeldbepalende elements include church towers, windmills, bridges, façades, mature trees, terraces and distinctive rooflines. Municipalities and conservation bodies use the designation—sometimes informally, sometimes in planning documents—to guide design decisions, preservation measures and redevelopment so that changes respect the local visual identity. Such a label is distinct from formal monument status but can influence permitted alterations and contextual design requirements.

Assessment of what is beeldbepalend is partly objective and partly subjective. Criteria often considered are prominence in the skyline, historical associations, architectural quality, visibility from public spaces and contribution to a coherent streetscape. The designation can support cultural heritage, local identity and tourism, but it can also lead to debates over whose history and aesthetics are being preserved.

English equivalents include "landmark," "iconic" or "character-defining." The term's use extends beyond architecture to photography, branding and discourse about visual culture, where it denotes any element that determines an overall image or impression.