Defining Landscapes, and Their Importance for National Identity—A Case Study from Slovenia

Nadja Penko Seidl,Mateja Šmid Hribar,Tomaž Pipan,Mojca Golobič,Jelka Hudoklin

doi:10.3390/su13116475

Nadja Penko Seidl, Mateja Šmid Hribar + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116475

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Abstract

Although each landscape has its own identity, only some of them are recognized as nationally important because of their cultural and natural values and their contribution to national identity. In Slovenia, these landscapes are listed in the national Spatial Development Strategy (adopted in 2004). However, this list was neither supported by implementation instruments nor integrated in any conservation or management policy documents and was poorly integrated into spatial plans. The aim of this research was to renew the methodology for identifying landscapes of national importance. The methods included in-depth interviews with experts, an online questionnaire, participatory workshops, and field visits. The questionnaire results showed that only eight landscapes from the original list of 62 were explicitly recognized as nationally important, which confirmed the hypothesis that the initial method was not transparent and that the criteria were biased. The proposed approach included the following criteria: (1) representativeness, (2) the quality of the landscape features, and (3) the cultural and scientific value. The methodology was accompanied with the list of landscape features and landscape types that are important for Slovenian national identity; recommendations for implementing the method on national, regional, and local levels; and the general guidelines for spatial planning and management of these landscapes.

Highlights

Every landscape has its own identity, which is based on (1) its physical characteristics,(2) the processes that take place in the landscape, and (3) the meanings that people attach to it [1]
Hrobat [6] defines this phenomenon as “the spatialization of time,” which is clearly expressed in the English language with the phrase “ . . . the event took place . . . ” Kučan [4,7], who researched the importance of landscapes for constructing national identity in Slovenia, argues that national identity is bound to the environment, to specific, and sometimes even idealized, types of landscape
Landscape features and landscape patterns that either represent a generic Slovenian landscape or a certain region (e. g. hayracks, different types of agricultural terraces) and that are considered relevant for landscape identity; Landscape identity areas that are unique and outstanding and important for national identity

Summary

Introduction

(2) the processes that take place in the landscape, and (3) the meanings that people attach to it [1]. Landscapes differ from each other and as such possess (more or less) unique geographical/spatial identities. ” Kučan [4,7], who researched the importance of landscapes for constructing national identity in Slovenia, argues that national identity is bound to the environment, to specific, and sometimes even idealized, types of landscape. These idealized types of Sustainability 2021, 13, 6475.

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