In search for multifunctionality. The contribution of scenic landscape assessment

The attention recently paid to ecosystem services, which include cultural services, such as spiritual and aes-thetic experiences, seems to encourage the consideration of landscape scenic values into rural development policies. However, existing theoretical frameworks doesn’t clarify enough the differences between various landscape services, among which potential conflicts - deriving from multiple values related to the same spatial assets - may arise. A sound assessment of landscape services is necessary. The chapter aims to show that multifunctionality is a goal-oriented concept and an option, non to be considered an intrinsic character of landscape policies. Rural, environmental, landscape and spatial policies can partially share certain strategic objectives, spatial targets, and evaluation frameworks. The paper illustrates existing techniques (as well as original proposals) for supporting landscape and rural policies through scenic landscape assessment, particularly: detailing categories of cultural services related to landscape amenity and developing scenic landscape indicators for environmental assessment frameworks. The second part of the chapter illustrates methodologies for the assessment of scenic landscape, their application in spatial planning and their potential application in rural policies, based on the Authors’ research experiences on cultural landscapes in Italy. Evidence gained through the cases studies indicates that landscape scenic beauty can be protected and enhanced by integrating landscape and rural policies. The paper drafts a theoretical framework and illustrates the practical outcomes by a wide range of possible planning measures.