TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS FOR NORTH CYPRUS

Year 2017, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 75 - 85, 31.03.2017

Gülay Çetinkaya Çiftçioğlu , Nur Sözen

Abstract

The aim of this study
is to develop a conceptual framework that can assist in selecting and filtering
a set of sustainable landscape development indicators for North Cyprus. Such
indicators can provide opportunities to understand, monitor, measure and
evaluate whether we are on the path towards sustainable development in the
region or not. The method of the study was based upon a review of relevant
studies. In the first section of the study, the concept of sustainable
landscape development is examined in terms of improving the quality of life
while landscapes maintain their functions. This evaluation shows that
sustainable landscape development should include five pillars (environmental,
economic, social, political and aesthetic sustainability) to achieve a balance
between human and ecological systems. The second section of the study focuses
on the types and relevance of indicators for sustainable landscape development.
This assessment shows that multi-functional landscape development indicators
are needed for evaluating landscape pressures, conditions and potential
responses. Development and implementation of such indicators can contribute to
the long-term viability of the interaction between biodiversity conservation,
agricultural production and survival of local livelihoods in North Cyprus. In
the last section, a comprehensive set of sustainable landscape development
indicators is proposed for North Cyprus. These indicators include: environment
(e.g. number of vascular plant species), economy (e.g. diversity in
agricultural land types), socio-culture (e.g. degree of access to clean
drinking water), visual (e.g. degree of aesthetic pleasing), policy (e.g.
degree of effective implementation of the European Landscape Convention) and
green infrastructure (e.g. trends in rainwater harvesting at community level). It
is expected that the proposed indicators can serve as a benchmark for
policy-makers and natural resource managers in terms of sustainable use of
natural resources, ecological, economic and socio-cultural development in North
Cyprus.

Keywords

Sustainability; landscape indicator; sustainable landscape development; landscape assessment; North Cyprus.

References

• [1]. Andel, A.C.V., “Livelihood and Landscape Indicators in East Africa in relation to Conservation and Development”, Master Thesis Science Technology and Society, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands, (2007).
• [2]. Bertram, P., Forst, C., Horvatin, P., “Developing Indicators for Ecosystem Health. State of Lake Michigan: Ecology, Health and Management”, Ecovision World Monograph Series, 505-519 (2005).
• [3]. Bastian, O., and Lütz, M., “Landscape Functions as Indicators for the Development of Local Agri-environmental Measures”, Ecological Indicators, 6: 215-227 (2006).
• [4]. Brady, S.J., “Landscape Indicators of Agri-environmental Condition in the United States”, In: Proceedings of the Norway/OECD Expert Meeting on Agricultural Landscape Indicators, 7-9 October 2002, Oslo; Norway, (2003).
• [5]. Chalfoun, N.V., “Sustainable Urban Design in Arid Regions; Integrating Energy and Comfort”, Collaborative Symposium: Urban Design in Arid Regions, The University of Arizona and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica De Chile, (2003).
• [6]. Chen, X., and Wu, J., “Sustainable Landscape Architecture: Implications of the Chinese Philosophy of Unity of Man with Nature’ and Beyond”, Landscape Ecology 24: 1015-1026 (2009).
• [7]. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), http://www.cbd.int/traditional/
• [8]. Daniel, T.C., “Whiter Scenic Beauty? Visual Landscape Quality Assessment in the 21st Century”, Landscape and Urban Planning 54: 267-281 (2001).