Landskapskvaliteter

Landskapskvaliteter are the characteristic features of a landscape that contribute to its identity, value and meaning. They include natural elements, such as terrain and ecosystems, as well as cultural elements, such as historical land use and built heritage. They function as a basis for assessment, planning and design.

Core components include topography and geomorphology; hydrology and soils; vegetation and habitats; land-use patterns and rural or urban morphology; cultural heritage, including historical farms, pathways, and vernacular architecture; aesthetics and experiential qualities, including views, seasonal change, sounds and scent; and ecosystem services such as recreation, climate regulation, and biodiversity.

The concept is used in landscape planning, environmental impact assessments, and conservation to identify which features are essential to protect and how to guide development to respect or enhance them. It supports public engagement and policy development by providing a shared language to describe landscape value. Methods typically involve landscape inventories, character assessments, mapping of qualities, criteria-based evaluation, and stakeholder participation.

Practice examples include protecting iconic landforms or panoramic views; sustaining traditional field patterns and hedgerows; preserving watercourses and wetlands; maintaining distinctive building materials and townscape; and designing new elements to harmonize with the landscape’s scale and rhythm.

Landskapskvaliteter are not static; they evolve with climate, land use, and culture. Assessments should be iterative and participatory, balancing conservation with development needs to maintain landscape identity over time.