Evaluation of Landscape Change by Different Social Groups

TLDR

Landscape is a vital resource for mountain regions, especially for tourism, and guiding its future development is essential to satisfy the expectations of local residents, visitors, and the broader public. The study examines how various social groups perceive past and future landscape changes in the Alps. Perceptions of landscape change depend on the changing meanings of landscape elements, with broad consensus on major developments but notable differences between groups, and both conflicting and compatible views are crucial for planning.

Abstract

Landscape is an important resource for mountain regions, particularly for tourism. Guiding future landscape development is necessary to meet the expectations of mountain inhabitants, tourists, and the general public outside mountain areas. The studies presented here show how different societal groups perceive past and future landscape changes in the Alps. The results reveal that it is not landscape change per se that is assessed as good or bad, it is the (related) change in the meaning of the landscape elements that leads to positive or negative assessments. There is a surprisingly broad consensus among different social groups regarding major landscape developments. However, there are also significant and relevant differences between these groups, eg between people living inside and outside the Alps, and between lay people and experts. Both conflicting and compatible views about landscape change are key elements in landscape planning.