Landscape scenic values. Protection and management from a spatial planning perspective

The aesthetic dimension distinguishes the concept of “landscape” from other concepts such as “environment” and “territory”, and is a recurrent justification for conserving both natural and cultural landscapes. However, scenic beauty remains particularly difficult to define and protect under specific regulations. Moreover, the topic is seldom dealt with in spatial planning literature and practice. This lack of a systematic approach severely limits the capacity of public administrations to protect and enhance scenic resources. The paper highlights the need for further research into technical tools and suggests a number of perspectives which call for international collaboration. As a worked example of how planning can deal with scenic resources, an Italian case is illustrated, the Piedmont Region’s “Guidelines for the analysis, protection and enhancement of the landscape scenic characters”. The guidelines focus on the protection of visual relationships, which connect designated heritage assets and outstanding features with their settings and the area as a whole. The implementation measures within the planning regulatory system are discussed, as well as the role of different actors, planning levels and phases.