Perinnemaisemien

Perinnemaisemien refers to landscapes shaped by generations of human activity in which cultural heritage and the natural environment are interwoven. The concept is widely used in Finnish landscape planning and cultural heritage discourse and covers areas where traditional land use—agriculture, forestry, grazing—has created distinctive patterns of fields, hedgerows, roads, built structures, and settlement forms.

Key features include traditional field systems, boundary networks such as stone walls and hedgerows, timber-framed farmhouses and yards, historic roads and farm lanes, relic orchards, and managed forests. The landscapes reflect long-term ecological knowledge and social practices and often harbor biodiversity that depends on human-maintained habitats.

Perinnemaisemien value lies in cultural-historical significance, aesthetic qualities, and ecosystem services. They support rural identity, educational and tourism potential, and can contribute to biodiversity and climate resilience when managed thoughtfully and sustainably.

In Finland, perinnemaisemien are considered in land-use planning and heritage protection. Municipalities, the Finnish Heritage Agency (Museovirasto) and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) assess landscapes for heritage value, guide conservation measures, and promote maintenance of traditional land-use practices, such as hedgerow management and field boundary care. Protection is achieved through planning policies, agreements with landowners, and, where applicable, designation of protected areas or sites of cultural significance. Pressures include land abandonment, intensification, urbanization, and climate change, which can erode traditional patterns unless active management is pursued.