Liveable landscapes: a key value for sustainable territorial development

Abstract

This paper examines the role of landscapes as a central value in sustainable territorial development, particularly within the framework of European Union cohesion policies and the European Landscape Convention (2003). It introduces the LIVELAND project, an ESPON 2013 targeted analysis (2012–2013) that explored practices of landscape planning and regional territorial strategies across six European case studies: the Basque Country, Ljubljana, Midden-Delfland, Navarra, Thy National Park, and Offenburg. Through policy analysis and exchange of experiences, the project identified common approaches and methodologies that link landscape management with socio-economic development. The findings emphasise the importance of integrating landscape planning into spatial planning to support regional sustainability and provide policy recommendations for “planning for liveable landscapes.”