LNAK10073U Rural Landscapes: Methods and Approaches in Policy Making

Rural landscapes cover more than a third of the earth and contribute most of the food and fiber consumed by human populations. At the same time rural landscapes are home to wild flora and fauna which exist alongside human settlement and industry, forming patterns adapted both to the natural conditions of the land and the social conditions of society. As such rural landscapes are manifestations of the way in which human societies organize and use their environment through continuous processes of decision making, forming an interface between society and its ecological basis.

Rural landscapes are also in rapid change in response to natural and social processes of transformation. These changes course challenges but do also offer new opportunities. 

The aim of the course is to present knowledge about contemporary landscape changes and its driving forces and to give insights into theories and methods to identify landscape characteristics, qualities, values and sustainability. In addition, the course will present knowledge about policy approaches and strategies for the protection, preservation and enhancement of rural landscapes. The course gives insight into some of the core issues of the M.Sc. education in Nature Management. The course also constitutes an important supplement to candidates involved in studies of sustainability science, forestry, agronomy, biology, geography, environmental management, environmental anthropology and rural sociology. 

Teaching is organized around three themes:

(1) Methods for analysis, assessment and evaluation of landscapes, including an introduction to: Spatial analysis and categorization of landscapes, visual analysis, value- and vulnerability analyses as well as an introduction to the concept of landscape character assessment.

(2) Methods for examining preferences, values and attitudes in relation to landscapes, including: interviews and different types of preference examination methods.

(3) Policy approachesand strategies for the protection and enhancement of rural landscapes, including: Designations and regulation, Agri-environmental policies and other incentives, Persuasion, Public participation, Planning processes and Mediation of dialogues.