What are the current developments in the field of climate change, globalisation, social transformations, production systems and consumption patterns? What impact do these driving forces have on landscape in an international context? What are the new activities for designing adequate policies and measures?

These are some of the questions that were discussed during the Swedish edition of the eighth meeting of the Council of Europe for the implementation of the European landscape convention. The goal was to combine and exchange insights, perspectives, practical and theoretical approaches from the European, national, regional and local levels.

Foto: Jerker Moström

The meeting focused on a range of burning issues facing Europe in order to relate these to landscape governance. This included such challenges as the introduction of new energy systems and energy saving measures, as well as the possibility of energy shortages, demographic transformations and the rise of global prices for food, land and raw material. Another topic worthy of discussion was the question of how ecological values and quality norms can be reconciled with free market developments.

The meeting provided an opportunity to share experiences by examining both good and bad practices in the integrated approach to landscape and its governance. It tried to strengthen the landscape's agenda among the key players and stakeholders involving landscape's protection, management and planning. Last but not least, the workshops gave an opportunity to present Swedish practices and approaches to international landscape's specialists as well as to encourage national Swedish public debate on the impact of "driving forces" on the Swedish landscape.

Contact:

Nataliya Hulusjö - tel. +46 (0)8 5191 8425

See also:
The Council of Europe
The European Landscape convention