Co C n o c n e c p e t p of o th t e h La L n a d n s d c s a c p a e p Po P l o i l c i y c of o Sl S o l v o e v ni n a i Concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia February 2020 Issued and published by Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning FOREWORD 7 Dunajska 48, 1000 Ljubljana, gp.mop@gov.si THE ADDRESSES 11 Slovenian Association of Landscape Architects Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, info@dkas.si INTRODUCTION 19 Background and purpose 20 Editors Tadej Bevk Workflow 20 mag. Jelka Hudoklin Basis for preparing the concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia 25 dr. Aleš Mlakar Landscape Policy of Slovenia as a system and a formal document 26 Concept prepared by Tadeja Ažman PROPOSED CONTENT OF THE DOCUMENT:“LANDSCAPE POLICY OF SLOVENIA: Špela Berlot THE LANDSCAPE PROTECTION, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM” 31 Tadej Bevk 1 Purpose and objectives of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia 34 Nika Cigoj Sitar 1.1 Purpose of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia 34 mag. Jelena Hladnik 1.2 Slovenian landscape – state, needs and opportunities 34 mag. Jelka Hudoklin 1.3 Objectives – What does Landscape Policy bring? 36 dr. Aleš Mlakar 2 Fundamental principles and the desired state of the landscape 41 Barbara Mlakar 3 Legal framework 42 dr. Maja Simoneti 4 Organisational framework 45 Gaja Trbižan 4.1 Organisational structure and responsibilities Katarina Žakelj for implementing the Landscape Policy 45 4.2 Data and information 47 Project funded by Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning 4.3 Landscape management organisation 47 Dunajska 48, 1000 Ljubljana, gp.mop@gov.si 5 landscape protection, planning and management tools 49 5.1 Glossary of landscape terms 49 Language review and translation by Alkemist, Translation agency 5.2 Landscape typology and landscape catalogue 50 5.3 Spatial planning and building construction 50 Design by Roman Ražman 5.4 Environmental/Landscape impact assessment 52 5.5 Protected and special landscape areas 53 Online edition 5.6 Sectoral development programmes and other documents 55 Ljubljana, February 2020 5.7 Collaboration and partnerships 56 This material is available at http://www.krajinskapolitika.si 5.8 Monitoring and control 57 6 Raising awareness, education, development of the profession and good practices 58 Kataložni zapis o publikaciji (CIP) 6.1 Awareness-raising 58 pripravili v Narodni in univerzitetni knjižnici v Ljubljani 6.2 Education and research 58 COBISS.SI-ID=18201603 6.3 Promotion, examples of good practice, rewards 61 ISBN 978-961-94341-5-4 (pdf) 7 Financial mechanisms 62 8 Action plan for 2020–2025 63 CONCLUSION: FROM CONCEPT TO RESOLUTION 65 4 5 Foreword P mount Kriška, Nika Cigoj Sitar 7 THE CONCEPT OF THE LANDSCAPE POLICY presented in this publication terest of four Ministries key to landscaping, which in 2018 endorsed is the result of the efforts made over several years by the profession to lay the SALA's proposal that the Government of the Republic of Slovenia should grounds for a more relevant protection, planning and management of Slov-launch the Landscape policy preparation process. enian landscapes. These efforts were summarised, supplemented, and sys-As part of the call for proposals for NGOs, the Ministry of the Envir-tematised in the project, Protection and Development of the Slovenian onment and Spatial Planning commissioned SALA to develop a project, Landscape: Starting points for drafting the Landscape Policy, designed by the outcome of which is summarised in this publication. A more detailed the Slovenian Association of Landscape Architects (SALA) in cooperation look into the expert materials, reports on thematic workshops and meet-with the Institute for Spatial Policies IPoP and CIPRA Slovenia, the associ-ings of the interministerial working group, as well as numerous parallel J O Ž E N O V A K ation for the protection of the Alps, and with the support of the Ministry of activities and events, is available on the information website krajinskaL U K A J A V O R N I K the Environment and Spatial Planning in the years 2018-2019. politika.si, which we invite you to read and browse. B A R B A R A K O S T A N J Š E K The landscape is one of the most visible features of a country, the result of activities of many generations, our pride and development re-SALA Management Board Presidents, source. Good knowledge of the condition and processes in the landscape, who are leading the preparation and understanding of its significance for cultural, social, and economic de-execution of the task up to and including velopment, and concerted action by all stakeholders, are key to quality the publication of this document. landscape protection, planning and management, as well as in the interests of both the country and all its population. This is why we need landscape policy. Changes are the defining feature of the landscape. The desire to manage these changes has always been the reason for deliberate efforts to preserve the economic, natural, cultural, and social values of the landscape. With the development of environmental protection, these efforts were systematically implemented in the form of landscape (protection) planning, which Slovenia was among the first in the world to put into effect, by incorporating it into spatial legislation and practice. The Spatial Planning Act from 1984 was internationally considered a good example of a comprehensive integration of protection and development planning, and in 2001, Slovenia was one of the first signatories of the European Landscape Convention. This period of constructive development of the profession was followed by numerous interferences with legislation, which had reduced the possibilities for effective landscape planning, protection, and management. Already a decade ago, the experts began pointing out that the consequences were increasingly evident in the Slovenian landscape, which was rapidly changing for the worse. The Department of Landscape Architecture at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana organised an international conference, Landscape Policy of Slovenia (2012); the group Acting responsibly to the space! publicly pointed out the necessity to develop a landscape policy in the document, Culture of Space and Construction Now! (2016), and SALA organised several public professional discussions on the situation in landscaping, managing to arouse the in-8 9 The Addresses P forest in the Dolenjska region, Luka Vidic 11 THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE is one of the most visible elements of the The realisation that good intentions are to be materialised through identity of each nation, and represents its cultural wealth. We all carry concrete activities, in particular via social and state policies, was matur-within ourselves the images of cultural landscapes of our countries. These ing especially within the landscape architecture profession, and among images are an inseparable part of our self-awareness and a sense of belong-some other professionals in the field of architecture and space. ing to the community. Although it would seem normal and commonplace in developed so-The cultural landscape serves both as something people identify cieties that the state invites the profession to participate in the prepara-with, and as a basis for the economy. There are many modern marketing tion of an operational document, this has not transpired in our country for activities that are directly linked to the quality of the built environment, the last twenty years. Through the public tender for co-financing projects A L E Š P R I J O N and the preserved and recognisable cultural landscape. Not just tourism, of non-governmental organisations which are active in the field of nature, but almost all brands build on identities, among which cultural land-environment and space, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Secretary of State scapes are one of the most important ones. Identities stem from the fea-Planning did eventually endorse the proposal of the profession, and this is Ministry of the Environment tures of the cultural and natural landscape, which together form one indi-how the document »Concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia« came to and Spatial Planning visible whole. be. Credit for the work done must mostly go to the Slovenian Association The cultural landscape as a quality is not self-evident. It is quite vul-of Landscape Architects, which prepared the document in collaboration nerable. It can be permanently damaged by new, high-impact activities, with the Institute for Spatial Policies and CIPRA Slovenia, the association but also by abandoning traditional human activities. Particular care and for the protection of the Alps. sensitivity are needed in placing various structures in the space. Settle-The concept addresses all relevant matters of the policy that we as a ments and other spatial forms, human activities and transitioning from society need to pursue, in order to be able to preserve, develop, and protect the cultural to the natural landscape, together create an exceptionally our landscape qualities. As such, it only represents a basis which must lead sensitive and complex system. to passing a binding document. For this reason, the document »Land-The cultural landscape has been building up through many centur-scape Policy of Slovenia« has to be also adopted formally, the same way the ies, and has emerged as a result of natural characteristics from the config- »Architectural policy« was adopted by the Government of the Republic of uration of the terrain and natural processes, to the exploitation of natural Slovenia, earning the latter an a priori guaranteed spot in all subsequent resources. The cultural landscape is the expression of man's rationality, normative documents and political decisions of the Slovenian state re-ingenuity, and resilience in the fight against nature. It is the result of the lated to the implementation of the spatial policy. methods of land cultivation and other economic activities, particularly This part of the work still awaits us. The landscape policy has to be agricultural. In parallel, and intertwined with these processes, national formally adopted as the architectural policy was, and from here on, care self-awareness has also been developing through the landscape's visibility, has to be taken to observe, implement, and respect both policies also in which has later articulated in the nation's identity. practice. In many ways, the cultural landscape is of similar importance to that Finally, I would like to give special thanks to all colleagues for carry-of the language. We need both to survive as a nation, or we shall dissipate. ing out this important work with dedication and professionalism, thus This is true of all nations. placing the landscape policy on our professional and political map. We are For that reason, it is rather curious that it took so long to realise the dealing with policy, after all. importance of the landscape as such, compared to, for example, the much older ethnology, even though the cultural landscape is just as much the cornerstone of a nation's being as the ethnological characteristics are. Only at the turn of the 21st century, in 2000, was the first significant declaration document on landscape adopted – the European Landscape Convention. Although Slovenia ratified the Convention rather quickly, in 2003, no action ensued at operational level. 12 13 WE LIVE IN A DYNAMIC WORLD which is undergoing tremendous change. HERITAGE, AS A VALUE in all its manifestations, complements the quality It is not possible to predict exactly what new technologies, the shifts in of the living environment. It is the foundation of the national identity, cul-political and economic relations, and climate change will bring us. This tural diversity intertwined with exceptional landscape and biodiversity, also applies to Slovenia's agriculture, its rural areas, and forests. Directly the basis of Slovenia's recognition in the international community and its and indirectly, the forests, the agriculture, and the rural areas touch the attractiveness for living, education, development, artistic creation, tour-lives of every inhabitant of Slovenia. These factors affect the safety, ac-ism, and other economic activities of our citizens. Sustainable develop-cessibility, and quality of natural resources, and the food we all consume. ment, therefore, cannot be achieved without a proper integration of herit-They determine the quality of living and of space for leisure, and to some age into the various interrelated activities of different sectors, in particu-dr. J O Ž E P O D G O R Š E K extent define the state of the environment and the protection of nature. mag. P E T R A C U L E T T O lar, landscaping, building construction, rural development, development The Slovenian territory is mostly defined by rural areas and forests. of tourism, nature conservation, and environmental protection. All these Secretary of State Forests are an essential building block of Slovenia’s landscape, as they rep-Secretary of State activities require a high level of planning expertise, quality assessment of Ministry of Agriculture, resent a large portion of it and are vital for its functioning. The Slovenian Ministry of Culture impacts on cultural heritage, and well-measured action. Forestry and Food farmer is a food producer, a guardian of the diverse landscape, and an im-In the system of cultural heritage protection, the landscape is portant co-manager of natural resources. In addition to the strategic func-treated in two ways; namely, as a spatial context of individual heritage tion of food production, the agriculture in Slovenia is characterised by its units, and as an independent type of protection, the so-called heritage cul-strong spatial and environmental role. tural landscape, which is exceptionally picturesque, due to its diverse his-Our countryside and landscape are therefore in the process of ongo-tory, man's resourcefulness, and adaptation to various natural conditions. ing transformation. The extremely diverse Slovenian countryside is disIn order to gain a broader understanding of the potential of individual tinguished by numerous landscape and geographic peculiarities, which areas, it is first and foremost necessary to recognise the values of heritage decisively influence the possibilities for living and the quality of living, landscapes, the so-called outstanding landscapes and areas of national the extent and type of land use, as well as the chosen farming method, the visibility, and to prepare or supplement the orientations and measures for economics, and the volume of production. The quality of life in rural their conservation and development, as the existing instruments for con-areas, however, is closely linked to the preservation of the cultural land-servation, maintenance, and management of landscapes are poorly de-scape and natural heritage. Ensuring the proper level and condition of the veloped or less effective, due to being dispersed between different stake-landscape is only possible through introducing and upgrading digitisa-holders. Interaction between ministries and other stakeholders is crucial, tion, mobility, accessibility to public services, and job creation. At the so that the processes – the evaluation, planning, management of land-same time, we cannot neglect the implementation of the concepts of mod-scape, implementation of various measures, financial incentives – which ern, environmentally sustainable agriculture, of sustainable, multifunc-are presently separate, can lead to the desired state of landscapes, and tional and nature-friendly forestry, and of a circular economy. thus to a quality living environment for the population. We are aware of the fact that, as a ministry, we are among the largest In seeking synergies between the vision and the goals of the cultural managers of the space in the country, and that agricultural and forestry and landscape policy, the local, regional, and national identities are also policies make a significant contribution to the image of the landscape. of great importance. Focusing on development that does not stem from With the new agricultural technology, development of large farms, land historically substantiated or existing values, undermines the cultural operations, land cultivation, as well as land abandonment and over-value of the landscape and thus leads to a loss of identity. Therefore, the growth, the image of the landscape is changing. However, no matter how presented starting points and goals of the concept of the Landscape Policy much we endeavour and direct the agricultural and forestry policies, we are of particular importance, as they support integrated conservation, have to admit to ourselves that it will not be possible to entirely prevent or which involves the protection, planning, and management of Slovenia's control the changing of the landscape. cultural heritage, and heritage cultural landscapes, as well as maintaining Lastly, we believe that cooperation and the transfer of information the country's visibility in the international arena. between all actors involved in the landscaping process are crucial, and We are pleased that the endeavours to improve the quality of our liv-therefore we need to approach this process in a cohesive and inclusive way. ing environment, in addition to the adoption of the Architectural Policy, 14 15 are also continuing through the preparation of the Landscape Policy. We THE MAJESTIC, RICH AND ENDEARING landscapes of Slovenia deserve hope that, on the basis of this policy, the integration of different minis-special attention. Human beings have established themselves in a setting tries and levels of operation will strengthen, and enjoy broad support of great beauty and have been able, over the centuries, to forge a landscape from society. that combines natural and cultural values. The Project “Protection and Development of the Slovenian landscape: Starting points for drafting the Landscape Policy”, implemented by TOURISM, AS ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS of socio-economic progress, the Slovenian Association of Landscape Architects (SALA), the Institute has an effect on our development, prosperity, and well-being. It is for this for Spatial Policies (IPoP), and the International Commission for the Pro-reason that we need to ensure the long-term and sustainable development M A G U E L O N N E tection of the Alps (CIPRA) Slovenia, with the financial support from the of tourism, both at macro level in terms of tourist destinations, and at mi-D É J E A N T - P O N S Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, places the landscape cro level in terms of each business operating in tourism. Sustainable ap-issue at the heart of reflections and action. proaches are developed bearing in mind mainly environmental protec-Executive Secretary Imagining landscapes of the future is not an easy task, insofar as the tion, conservation and protection of natural and cultural conditions and of the European Landscape Convention, landscape reflects the ways of thinking and living of individuals and societies. heritage, and on the basis of landscape identity. Council of Europe However, it is everyone’s responsibility – public authorities, professionals, ex-E V A Š T R A V S Slovenia is a land of many outstanding landscapes, which repres-perts and individuals – to take adequate and effective measures to guide its P O D L O G A R ent the Slovenian identity and are also recognisable on a European scale. transformations. It is not a question of creating museum landscapes or post-The rich environmental and cultural diversity that Slovenia boasts is cards, but of ensuring that the landscapes enable the functioning of the eco-Secretary of State one of its most important advantages, providing an unquestionable systems, necessary for the life of human beings and animal and plant species. Ministry of Economic competitive edge. It is also a question of ensuring that urban landscapes remain quality living Development and Technology Slovenia is a global green boutique destination suitable for a de-environments, responding to the aspirations of people. It is thus important to manding visitor who is looking for a diverse and active experience, peace-fully include the landscape dimension, not only in the environmental and fulness, and personal benefits. This vision, which was set out in the cultural policies, but also in spatial/regional planning, town planning, infra-Strategy for the Sustainable Growth of Slovenian Tourism 2017 – 2021, structure, architecture, agriculture and other policies, so that the landscape aims to present the diversities of Slovenia through experiences and events preserves this “supplément d’âme” ¹, always recognisable when it is there. The which are competitive and attractive on a global scale. landscape of the Tromostovje and its surroundings is a perfect example. The tourist sector gives strong emphasis to the value of the Slove-Slovenia has a long tradition in terms of spatial planning and land-nian landscape. We Slovenians are in love with our green and geographic-scape architecture, and world-renowned professors have trained genera-ally diverse country, so we endeavour to preserve the rich biodiversity and tions of landscape architects. picturesque natural spots. For this purpose, the Green Scheme of Slove-The Council of Europe has been very pleased to organise major internian Tourism has been introduced, which is a national programme and national events in Ljubljana: the 13th Council of Europe Conference of certification scheme uniting all efforts for the sustainable development of Ministers responsible for Regional/Spatial Planning on ‘The territorial di-tourism in Slovenia under the umbrella brand SLOVENIA GREEN, and mension of sustainable development’ (2003), and the 4th Council of providing the destinations and tourism providers concrete tools to assess Europe Meeting of the Workshops for the implementation of the European and improve sustainable operation, as well as promoting such green ac-Landscape Convention (2006) on ‘Landscape and society”. High quality tion under the Slovenia Green brand. European research programmes have also been carried out, with the strong At the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, we are support of the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and the aware of the great importance of the protection, development, and man-full involvement of the Slovenian Association of Landscape Architects. agement of the Slovenian landscape. An effective landscape policy is key We are pleased that the Project presented in this publication will to the green, sustainable, and responsible development of tourism. In that take root in public policy, in full application of the European Landscape regard, I wish to stress the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration, 1 In accordance with the expression Convention. It must be considered that the decisions taken today determ-and interaction with the local environment. of Henri Bergson. ine future developments. 16 17 Introduction: From analyses to concept P Malečnik, Luka Vidic 19 2 The project was co-financed on the Background and purpose The concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia was being developed basis of a public tender issued by the gradually through the analytical work of a broad working group of experts, Ministry of the Environment and VARIEGATED HISTORY, CULTURE AND NATURE have created an excep-and in cooperation with numerous participants of interministerial and Spatial Planning for co-financing tionally diverse landscape in the small territory of the Earth that we call thematic workshops, as well as workshops for the general public. projects of non-governmental Slovenia. The Slovenian landscape has changed considerably over the past The basis for discussions in the workshops was the Analysis of the organisations active in the field of few decades, mostly as a result of settlement, which impacts the land-existing system of landscape planning, protection and management in nature, environment and space scape in various ways, and due to large infrastructure facilities, changes Slovenia and the Analysis of foreign examples of landscape policy. The (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 16/18). in farming methods and overgrowth of the landscape. The state of the analysis of the situation has shown that the existing system is not compre-landscape and challenges of the future, such as ensuring a quality living en-hensive, and that due to weak collaboration of stakeholders in spatial 3 To keep language concise, landscape vironment, preserving the cultural and natural landscape, strengthening planning, individual legal solutions and sectoral measures have not pro-management is used as a synonym for national identity, adapting to climate change, reducing the threat of nat-duced any coordinated effects in the landscape. In recent years, we have landscape protection, planning and ural and other disasters, increasing food self-sufficiency, the use of renew-taken some steps backwards in this field in Slovenia, while the analysis of management throughtout the text. able energy sources, developing sustainable tourism and mobility, and im-foreign examples of landscape policy shows that integrated landscape plementing green infrastructure, all require coordinated landscape pro-management is gaining increasing importance in European countries, 4 The complete material prepared tection, planning and management under the auspices of landscape policy. and that ambitious new solutions are being established on different within the framework of the project In light of the challenges mentioned, and recognising the fact that levels and areas of society. and other materials related to Slovenia is internationally identifiable precisely because of its diverse and The findings of both analyses have been verified, complemented and landscape protection, planning and quality landscape, the Slovenian Association of Landscape Architects, in evaluated in workshops with different groups of participants. Implement-management, are available at http:// cooperation with partners, the Institute for Spatial Policies (IPoP) and ation of the project was monitored by an interministerial focus group www.krajinskapolitika.si. CIPRA Slovenia, the association for the protection of the Alps, has carried composed of representatives of ministries which are traditionally linked out the project Protection and Development of the Slovenian Landscape: to landscape; namely, those for spatial planning, environmental protec-Starting points for drafting the Landscape Policy, co-financed by the tion, agriculture, preservation of the natural and cultural heritage, and Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning², in which a proposal tourism. At the beginning of the project, the interministerial focus group for an integrated approach to managing landscape³ was formulated in col-presented recommendations for its implementation, and evaluated and laboration with numerous stakeholders. The manifold results of the pro-commented on the results at the project’s conclusion. ject were combined into the concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia, On a proposal from the interministerial focus group, four thematic which is presented hereinafter. The purpose of the project was: workshops were conducted – on the Ljubljana Marshes, in Jezersko, • to prepare the scientific basis for drafting and implementing the Ljutomer, and Ljubljana – intended for professional and other public in-Landscape Policy; terested in the field of landscape management, as well as representatives • to involve the professional public in formulating proposals for of local communities. The workshops were attended by the representat-Landscape Policy objectives and measures; and ives of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Environment and Spa- • to raise public awareness of the importance of the protection and tial Planning, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, and four development of the Slovenian landscape. ⁴ public institutions (the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation, the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia, and the Slove-Workflow nian Forest Service). The workshops were aimed at identifying problems which the participants encounter with regard to landscape management, The basic principle of the project work stems from the fact that the land-and the potential solutions. The cross-sectoral structure of the working scape is an interweaving of many different factors, and a sphere where groups has proven highly successful, as it has allowed for a broad and in-various interests meet. Consequently, landscape management can be suc-depth exchange of views, predominantly on how to establish a more effect-cessful only if carried out in a manner agreed by a wide range of actors. ive system for collaboration at all levels of planning, development pro-20 21 5 A public declaration on an important grammes, and measure implementation aimed towards facilitating posit-consideration in the general interest ive effects in the environment. adopted by a vote by the National As part of the project, workshops for the general public, called Assembly of the RS. “Let's talk about landscape – together”, were organised, providing opportunities for discussing the issues and exchanging views also outside the professional circles. A workshop organised in the context of the Landscape Ecology seminar was intended for the students of several faculties of the University of Ljubljana. The workshop in Pivka focused on the significance of the landscape, the processes taking place in it, and the necessity for a constructive dialogue. Ljubljana was the host of a round table entitled “Slovenia – still my country?”, dedicated to landscape as the foundation of the nation’s and individual’s identity. The Solčava workshop was predominantly concerned with agriculture. All the workshops proved that the landscape represents a core value for people, and touches them on an emo-tional and an identity level, as well as from an economic point of view. All the workshops unequivocally confirmed the findings and the demand of the experts, which served as the project’s baseline, namely that clear common objectives and criteria for the protection of the landscape should be formulated at state level, and that good practices must start being developed and Landscape Policy measures enforced. Apart from identifying some critical weaknesses, many already existing bases were also established, which could facilitate more synergies between different actors in the field of landscape management. The findings of the workshops represent the starting points for landscape policy making, while the landscape management. We propose that the Landscape Policy of Slovenia second part of the project contains the proposed concept – the structure should be formulated as a commitment and modus operandi of the entire and content of the document “Landscape Policy of Slovenia”, subtitled Slovenian society, and as a framework for the constructive collaboration of “Landscape protection, planning and management system”, which, all stakeholders in landscape protection, planning and management. The through further professional work, cross-sectoral coordination, and pub-policy as such, does not seek to redistribute and delimit the powers to nar-lic debate, followed by a proposal from the Government of the RS and the row professional circles, nor does it offer just a handful of ad hoc objectives adoption in the National Assembly of the RS, should provide formal recog-and measures, but brings systemic solutions leading to comprehensive nition of the Landscape Policy. The concept is presented in summarised measures and synergistic effects. The Landscape Policy is not only a spa-form further in this document. tial planning policy, but a very broad concept connecting actors from While preparing the concept special attention was given to consider-very diverse fields, and with very diverse attitudes to the landscape. It ation of why we need the Landscape Policy in the form of a formal state may not serve only the purposes of particular interest groups but has to document. The review of foreign examples of landscape policies shows give priority to the landscape in all its entirety – for all of us who live and that countries take different approaches to implementing them – through work within it and consider it our own. specific rules, landscape concepts and strategies, and directly through spatial planning processes –, depending mainly on particular cultural, political and spatial planning tradition. In the light of experience, and discussions with stakeholders, we believe that adoption of a resolution⁵ on the Landscape Policy is the first necessary step towards ensuring integral P Brežice, Luka Vidic 22 23 E F F O R T S B E F O R E T H E P R O J E C T left: Basis for preparing the concept Project workflow with of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia 2012 → conference Landscape policy a presentation of previous efforts 2016 → document Culture of Space and Construction Now! and planned next steps The concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia is formulated on the basis 2017 → conference Slovenian landscape in front of future challenges of the provisions of the European Landscape Convention (2000, hereinafter: ELC)⁶, which in Article 5.b obliges Slovenia as a Party “to establish and implement landscape policies aimed at landscape protection, management and planning through the adoption of the specific measures set out in Article 6” . According to Article 1 (Definitions) of the ELC, the term 'landscape P R O J E C T P R O T E C T I O N A N D D E V E L O P M E N T O F T H E policy' “means an expression by the competent public authorities of general S L O V E N I A N L A N D S C A P E : S T A R T I N G P O I N T S F O R D R A F T I N G principles, strategies and guidelines that permit the taking of specific meas- L A N D S C A P E P O L I C Y ures aimed at the protection, management and planning of landscapes” . It follows from the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the guidelines for the implementation of the D E S K S T U D Y ELC (2008)⁷ that, from an operational viewpoint, the European Land- analysis of foreign examples scape Convention presupposes: of landscape policies • the drawing up of specific landscape policies, and concurrently, the systematic inclusion of the landscape dimension in all sectoral analysis of the existing system policies that have a direct or indirect influence on changes to the ter- of landscape planning, protection and managementin Slovenia ritory. Landscape is therefore not additional to other themes, but is P A R T I C I P A T I O N W I T H an integral part of them; P R O F E S S I O N A L S A N D T H E P U B L I C • a transition from a policy based on protecting a territory's features workshops for the general public and parts recognised as outstanding, to a policy based on the quality of all living surroundings, whether outstanding, everyday, or degraded; thematic workshops with stakeholders • a definition of and experience with new forms of collaboration interministerial focus group between the various bodies and the various levels of administration; • a new approach to observing and interpreting landscape, which should view the territory as a whole (and no longer just identify 6 http://www.svetevrope.si/sl/ places to be protected); include and combine several approaches S T A R T I N G P O I N T S F O R L A N D S C A P E P O L I C Y dokumenti_in_publikacije/ simultaneously (linking ecological, archaeological, historical, cul- Concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia konvencije/176/index.html tural, perceptual, and economic approaches) and incorporate social konferenca Vse krajine štejejo! K večji kakovosti bivanja and economic aspects. s krajinsko politiko 7 Recommendation CM/Rec(2008)3 of the Committee of Ministers to The “Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation” (2002) Pro-Member States on the guidelines for tocol, enshrined in the Alpine Convention (1991), also bears significance in the implementation of the European the development of the concept of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia. The pro-Landscape Convention, https:// visions of the Convention and the Protocol apply to 33% (the Alpine/north-P R O P O S E D S T E P S A F T E R T H E P R O J E C T rm.coe.int/16802f80c9 western part) of the territory of Slovenia. ⁸ Chapter II of the Protocol lays coordination and improvement of the Concept down specific measures relevant for landscape – inventories, landscape plan-preaparation of Resolution on the Landscape Policy of Slovenia 8 https://www.alpconv.org/si/domaca-ning, planning, actions on nature and landscape, and protected areas. Article stran/ 7 should, in particular, be pointed out here, as it defines landscape planning. vote and adoption of the Resolution in the National Assembly implementation of the Landscape policy of Slovenia 25 Landscape Policy of Slovenia In Slovenia, rudiments of landscape policy are already in place, al-as a system and a formal document though individual elements of the landscape protection, planning and management system are unconnected, poorly coordinated in practice, We understand the Landscape Policy of Slovenia (hereinafter also re-and incompletely regulated by each separate sector (ministerial regula-ferred to as: the Landscape Policy) as a broad systemic framework for tions). Also, legal solutions and their implementation are not grounded in the functioning of society in the field of landscape, based on a social a comprehensive view of the landscape and clearly defined objectives for agreement and consensus on the system of values and development landscape development, but are rather a result of, although well-meant, goals, as well as on modes of operation in the field of landscape protec-yet autonomous, isolated, unrelated institutional and civil society efforts. tion, planning and management. It is a series of different but harmon-The Landscape Policy of Slovenia is aimed at complementing and enhan-ised and well-connected activities, stemming from commitments laid cing systemic solutions and creating conditions for a comprehensive and down in individual strategic documents, legal provisions, action plans, integrated system of functioning. frameworks of operation at different levels of spatial planning, (inter-Given the current situation and practice in Slovenia, it is believed )ministerial programmes, agreements and coordination, publicly avail-that key improvements and a comprehensive and more effective land-able data and research findings, and targeted projects. Thus, the Landscape protection, planning and management practice is urgently needed, scape Policy as such, becomes an expression of the political will to respect which requires state action and raising awareness of the whole of society, the values of the population and the international commitments, and and substantiates the preparation of a strategic document of the utmost most of all, to fulfil a wide range of needs of Slovenian society for effective national importance. It has therefore been proposed that the Landscape landscape protection, planning and management. Policy of Slovenia should be adopted as a uniform operational document, In order to achieve, both as a country and as citizens, greater coher-which will strategically and systematically regulate landscape protection, ence between the various sectoral documents and measures in landscape protection, planning and management, a common vision of landscape protection, planning and management must first be developed based on the evaluation of the situation. Also, through open cooperation, measures need to be agreed upon to achieve this vision in a certain time frame, and also to legalise the agreed substance by adopting a legally and formally binding document at the highest political level. When the project “Protection and Development of the Slovenian Landscape: Starting points for drafting the Landscape Policy” was being prepared, a proposal matured to draft and adopt the “Landscape Policy of Slovenia” as a general social consensus on landscape protection, planning and management, incorporating basic starting points and commitments: • to heighten the meaning of landscape in society and to have a right to enjoy a quality landscape; • to establish a comprehensive landscape protection, planning and management system; • to manage landscape responsibly, reflecting its importance to society; • to maintain and raise the quality of the Slovenian landscape; • to ensure a systemically regulated, coherent and coordinated action of all stakeholders in relation to landscape protection, planning and P Ruski car neighbourhood, Ljubljana, management, which will lead to increased efficiency of such action; Luka Vidic • to promote and raise landscape awareness. 26 27 left: planning and management issues, serve as a common guide for formulat-A proposal for the structure ing legal and other solutions, require interconnection and cooperation, L E G A L F R A M E W O R K of a landscape protection, planning substantiate, explain, point to solutions and direct action related to land-and management system scape. By adopting the Landscape Policy of Slovenia, we shall gain a fun-International instruments damental instrument and a system of action in the field of landscape pro-Slovenian regulations and strategic documents tection, planning and management, which will be binding on Slovenian society as a whole, Slovenia as a state, the National Assembly, the government, ministerial departments, local communities and the profession, O R G A N I S A T I O N A L F R A M E W O R K educational institutions, the media and all citizens. The Landscape Policy of Slovenia shall enter into force by means of a formal document – presumably a resolution, which will be adopted by Organisational structure and powers the National Assembly on a proposal from the Government of the RS. ⁹ Data and information The document has to demonstrate unambiguous political support and be Landscape management organisation sufficiently specific, it must include the estimate of the situation and measures for implementation and start of the policy outlined, which can lead to remedying the situation. The Landscape Policy of Slovenia, to-L A N D S C A P E P R O T E C T I O N , P L A N N I N G gether with the action plan (most likely for a period of five years), is a liv-A N D M A N A G E M E N T T O O L S ing system that develops and responds to the current situation. It will be presented online (see Section 4.2), with the aim of gathering and making Glossary of landscape terms accessible all relevant information on landscape in Slovenia in one place. Landscape typology and landscape catalogue For the purposes of communication, promotion and/or education, the document and related content shall be published at time intervals in the Spatial planning and building construction form of electronic and printed publications, concise presentation mater-Environmental/Landsscape impact assessment 9 A logical analogy for such a document ial in Slovenian, and also in foreign languages (at least in English). Protected and special landscape areas is, for example, the Resolution on the The Landscape Policy of Slovenia is set as a substantive and concep-Ministerial development programmes and other documents Strategic Guidelines for the tual parallel to the Spatial Management Policy of Slovenia and the Archi-Development of Slovenian Agriculture tectural Policy of Slovenia, and follows the intention laid down in the pub-Collaboration and partnership and Food Industry until 2020 – lication Culture of Space and Construction Now! (Kultura prostora in Monitoring and control “Ensuring Food for Tomorrow” graditve zdaj!) (2016). ¹⁰ (ReSURSKŽ), Official Gazette of the R A I S I N G A W A R E N E S S , E D U C A T I O N , RS, No. 25/2011. The Resolution is D E V E L O P M E N T O F T H E P R O F E S S I O N complemented by the Action Plan – A N D G O O D P R A C T I C E S the Strategic plan on implementing the resolution on strategic guidelines Awareness raising for agricultural and food industry development by 2020 (2014). Education and research Promoting good practice 10 Further herein, in addition to the term “resolution”, the term “Landscape Policy” is also used, or simply “policy” F I N A N C I A L M E C H A N I S M S or “document”. 29 Proposed content of the document Landscape policy of Slovenia: the landscape protection, planning and management system P Lendavske gorice, Luka Vidic 31 11 A more detailed analysis is available at Introductory note http://www.krajinskapolitika.si/wp- The concept proposes that the structure and content of the docu-content/uploads/2018/11/ ment “Landscape Policy of Slovenia” , subtitled “Landscape protection, analiza_tujih_primerov.pdf planning and management system” , should respond to the findings on the situation in the Slovenian territory and to the needs of society, and pursue the idea of comprehensive regulation of the area that is optimal in view of the existing system of spatial management (spatial planning, management), protection (of environment, nature, cultural heritage, natural resources) and directing economic development (economy, tourism). The approach follows the guidelines of the ELC and the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers regarding the implementation of the ELC (Recommendation CM/Rec (2008) 3 ..., 2008) and relies on foreign examples and solutions, especially Catalan, which rank among the best examples of good practice. Catalonia has made significant changes in the planning, protection and management of landscape over the past 20 years, and has achieved an enviable level of professional work and awareness of society, as a result of which its landscape policy is one of the most advanced European documents of this type. ¹¹ The structure follows the proposed system of landscape protection, planning and management. The content is organised into three basic sec-tions: • The introductory section comprises the purpose, objectives, fundamental principles and other basic definitions. • The middle section is divided into five policy/system pillars: 1) legal framework, 2) organisational framework, 3) landscape protection, planning and management tools, 4) raising awareness, education, development of the profession and good practices, involving the general public in creating a quality landscape, and 5) financial mechanisms. These pillars comprise a series of diverse, mutually harmonised activities and materials that are necessary for the systemic and comprehensive implementation of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia, and consequently, the commitments stated in the ELC. The stated measures set out the objectives referred to in Section 1.3, to which those measures are directly linked. • The last section comprises an action plan. Below is a summary of the contents proposed as the content of the document Landscape Policy of Slovenia. A more detailed overview of the analytical findings on the situation in Slovenia, foreign practices for the implementation of landscape policy and thematic workshops, as well as the P Piran, Tadej Bevk presentation of the concept, starting points, objectives and measures, are 32 33 12 http://www.krajinskapolitika.si provided in the reports of the project Protection and Development of the ical areas. In a relatively small territory of our country, human beings have Slovenian Landscape: Starting points for drafting the Landscape Policy. ¹² been adapting to the climate, geomorphology and biodiversity over the mil-lennia and actively managing the living conditions. The impact of human action on the natural environment has yielded an extremely diverse cul-1 Purpose and objectives tural landscape. Local influences of different historical cultures – from pre-of the landscape policy of slovenia antiquity, Romance, Germanic, and Slavic – can be discerned in the local landscape. In modern history, the changes and development of the land-1.1 Purpose of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia scape have mainly been influenced by changes in agricultural land use tech-The Landscape Policy is an exhaustively organised, formally adop-nology and social conditions. Today, the above-mentioned causes of land-ted and established method of comprehensive, integrated and inclusive scape changes are accompanied by climate change, globalisation and the landscape protection, planning and management. Its implementation pursuit of an ever-greater efficiency, which are not conducive to typically will provide the conditions for the long-term development of landscape, small-scale and less productive cropland use, but rather support economic-coherent in all respects, by integrating and harmonising the expectations, ally more successful large-scale monoculture farming, and have an impact objectives and measures of different fields and stakeholders, and enabling on rural depopulation. Extensive energy, transport and utility infrastruc-us to develop the landscape as a common development resource and herit-ture projects are being implemented in parallel to unbridled growth of resid-age, as well as an important element of personal and national identity. ential, agricultural and (often illegal) advertising facilities, which, in the ab-The enactment of the Landscape Policy is a prerequisite for oversence of comprehensive regulation and long-term perspective, reduce the coming the negative tendencies in the landscape, and for enhancing the living comfort and ecological functions of the landscape. Despite the rapid quality of the living environment by improving the conditions in the field development of settlement and infrastructural systems and the intensifica-of landscape protection, planning and management. tion of agriculture on flat land, overgrowth occurs where the conditions for Landscape policy, in accordance with the European Landscape agriculture are difficult, also associated with favourable natural conditions Convention, means “an expression by the competent public authorities P Nika Cigoj Sitar, Park Tivoli for rapid forest growth and the migration of people to more urban areas. of general principles, strategies and guidelines that permit the taking of specific measures aimed at the protection, management and planning of landscapes”. Through the preparation and implementation of the Landscape Policy, Slovenia follows the commitments of the ELC Parties and confirms that it is aware of the need to coordinate the protection and development of landscape, the importance of landscape as its own and common European heritage, and the political responsibility for the achievement of common European development goals. Only the Landscape Policy of Slovenia, as a uniform and fundamental document of Slovenian society and state in the field of landscape protection, planning and management, can liaison and commit to the functioning and decision-making of both political/administrative structures at state and local level, as well as the professional and general public. 1.2 Slovenian landscape – state, needs and opportunities The spatial diversity of Slovenia, which lies at the intersection of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain, and the Dinarides, is one of the most recognisable features of our country. It is determined primarily by the geomorphological and climatic differences between these four geograph-34 35 Many changes to the cultural landscape are also increasingly stemming 13 The Committee of Ministers has business and research sector, a low carbon circular economy, the sus-from the secondary use of space associated with a changed lifestyle, assign-issued a special recommendation in tainable management of natural resources, a trustworthy legal sys-ing greater importance to leisure, recreation and tourism, as well as the de-this regard – see Recommendation tem, and a secure and globally responsible Slovenia, so that we will mands related to the quality of the living environment, nature conservation, CM/Rec(2017)7 of the Committee of preserve and develop a quality landscape. and changed requirements for settlement, mobility, etc. In the future, we Ministers to Member States on the 1.3 We will contribute to the conservation/enhancement of natural re-will also increasingly face challenges related to climate change, the protec-contribution of the European sources and processes in the landscape by strengthening the efforts tion of agricultural land, and the use of renewable energy sources, which Landscape Convention to the exercise to conserve nature and cultural heritage, ensuring sustain-will significantly modify the landscape in all dimensions. The analysis of of human rights and democracy with a able food production, mitigating flood risk, and above all, the effects Slovenian practice reveals that spatial planning documents address land-view to sustainable development, of climate change, thus facilitating the implementation of the 2030 scape (in terms of content, scope and quality) very differently, and above all https://rm.coe.int/ Agenda for Sustainable Development. deficiently, which is, inter alia, due to the fact that the regulations governing 0900001680750d64 1.4 We will contribute to creating a better society by stressing the im-spatial planning are very loose, and lacking clearly set rules, criteria and https://search.coe.int/cm/Pages/ portance of the landscape and its diversity for the minds and bodies of binding content. Consequently, the actions affecting the environment are result_details.aspx?ObjectID=09000 human beings, as well as for societies, and to promoting the landscape often inadequately implemented, as is also the case with landscape mainten-01680750d64 in the system of values and individual and national identities, and ance and management. Nevertheless, the Slovenian landscape still repres-thus to exercise human rights – including the right to enjoy quality ents a high-quality (living) environment, and as an important production landscapes – and democracy in landscape management with the aim resource, has great potential for economic development. Many outstanding of sustainable development. ¹³ We will promote awareness of the im-landscapes and recognisable landscape elements have been preserved, and portance of the landscape, the adoption of a positive and responsible therefore, landscape is an important driver of Slovenia’s visibility. attitude towards the landscape, and identification with the landscape. 1.5 We will treat all landscapes with care, we will not confine ourselves 1.3 Objectives – What does Landscape Policy bring? to specific areas in the treatment of landscape, we will address land-In the process of analysis and communication with project stake-scape as a whole, thus going beyond the current sectoral approach, holders (especially in thematic workshops), the starting points have been and in this way, establish the principle that all landscapes count. formulated, serving as the basis for defining the objectives of Slovenia's Landscape Policy, and providing a framework of measures that will enable 2 Updating regulations and strategic documents to implement com-its implementation. prehensive solutions and global commitments to landscape 2.1 We will fulfil the commitments referred to in the European Land-1 heightening care for the landscape as a guarantee for an increased scape Convention (2001) and the Alpine Convention (1991): The quality of living, economic development, and strengthening of na- “Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation” Protocol (2002), tional identity thus joining the efforts of European countries in the field of land-1.1 We will prevent further degradation of the landscape and preserve scape protection, management and planning. its identity, attractiveness and potential for competitive develop-2.2 We will form the basis for further drafting, amending and supplement and the quality of living by planning the spatial development in menting spatial, construction and sectoral legislation on addressing the landscape based on landscape evaluation and impact assessment, the landscape, so that the landscape will be given an adequate (con-paying special attention to rural development and maintenance of forming with the ELC and the Alpine Convention) legal recognition cultural landscapes, conservation of the natural landscape, limiting and role. Expert bases will be prescribed/recommended for address-and directing the typology of dispersed settlement, and sanctioning ing the landscape and public open spaces, a system will be established illegal encroachments on space. for the complete transfer of landscape contents into spatial planning 1.2 We will contribute to the implementation of the objectives of Slov-acts, measures will be introduced for more effective compliance with enia's 2030 Development Strategy, which highlight healthy and act-spatial planning documents in all developments, and for linking min-ive living, a decent life for all, a competitive and socially responsible istries and measures in the field of landscape management. 36 37 14 If the amended and supplemented 2.3 The landscape will become an important component of all levels of provide the basis for operation. Data on landscape typology and out-Spatial Development Strategy of society and its development, as a socially recognised category. Land-standing landscapes (including methodology) will be updated and Slovenia does not adequately address scape planning, protection and management contents will become publicly available, as well as formally identified as binding bases in the landscape at strategic level, we an integral part of all relevant strategic development documents¹⁴, the decision-making and/or planning process. Framework will adopt a National Landscape and will be properly addressed and discussed. guidelines will be developed for the management of coherent land-Strategy, which will be applied as a scape areas, independent of administrative boundaries. strategic framework for landscape. 3 Implementing an effective landscape protection, planning and 4.3 We will prepare instructions and guidelines and build good practice management system to ensure that the landscape is properly addressed, with the Land-3.1 All efforts related to landscape protection, planning and manage-scape Service providing guidance, recommendations, manuals, and ment will be systemically regulated and directed in a coordinated model examples for dealing with landscape in spatial planning, manner within the Landscape Service, which will connect and target design and environmental impact assessment and management (es-the actions of the various stakeholders as a continuous, coordinated pecially for newly introduced documents), and promptly assessing action of the state, regional initiatives and local communities. Oper-good (and bad) practice examples. This will create (in content and ational activities will follow the basic guidelines, and will comprise quality) a more balanced practice in all the above-mentioned areas. and allow for response to current problems, while the effectiveness 4.4 We will integrate the starting points of the Landscape Policy into of these efforts will be ensured by the Government of the Republic of ministerial policies/programmes and ensure the synergy of minis-Slovenia by adopting and monitoring the action plan for the initial terial measures at all levels of landscape planning, protection and period, and then regularly for new periods. management, while ministries will follow landscape policy prin-3.2 We will increase the responsibility and the active role of the state in ciples and provide for mutual coordination from strategic level to the enforcement of the ELC and Landscape Policy at all levels, so operational implementation. that the Landscape Service will be assigned the role of the landscape planning authority (guidelines, opinions, stances on interventions, 5 Raising awareness of the importance of the landscape for a more instructions for landscape evaluation, proposed legislative amend-inclusive society ments, etc.) and will lay down, in conjunction with the ministries 5.1 We will highlight the importance of education and awareness-rais-whose scope relates to the landscape, operational targets at the plan-ing, and public involvement in spatial planning/landscape manning and management levels. agement, increase the awareness of the population about the im-3.3 We will enforce the systematic monitoring of the landscape’s state, portance of the landscape, provide education for institutionalised trends and changes throughout the country. stakeholders and spatial planners, integrate the landscape into the 3.4 We will collect all landscape-related information in a single place, education system (primary and secondary schools), boost the pres-in one institution (Landscape Service) and on one website; the in-ence of landscape content in the media, and link the efforts of indi-formation will be freely accessible to the public and also available in viduals, societies, chambers, and faculties. the English language. 6 Providing resources for implementing measures, and thus achiev-4 Providing expert foundations for the protection, planning and ing landscape objectives management of landscape and quality spatial solutions 6.1 We will develop a financial framework for landscape management, 4.1 We will organise terminology, elaborate and regularly update the set up a public fund for landscape, and we will designate public or Glossary of landscape terms, with explanations of the basic concepts private funding and other resources, such as tourist taxes or other related to the landscape, with the aim of standardising technical ter-activities and fees. Financial support/incentives from ministries minology. will also be established (in connection with awareness-raising) as a 4.2 We will prepare a landscape typology/catalogue (online applica-commitment to the protection, maintenance and integrated man-tion) so that landscape categorisation, typology, and evaluation will agement of landscapes. 38 39 2 Fundamental principles and the desired state of the landscape Fundamental principles The fundamental principles (guidelines) of the Landscape Policy underpin its primary vision – the creation of a solid, comprehensive, last-ing, and at the same time, responsive, well-coordinated and inclusive system of landscape protection, management and planning. The Landscape Policy defines procedural principles for landscape protection, management and planning, and defines/formalises tools: • the protection of the landscape by adopting and implementing the acts regulating the protection of individual areas, and by integrating protection-oriented definitions in spatial planning acts; • the management of the landscape through the day-to-day use of land, with prescribed management plans, development programmes and projects, financial measures and land policy; • landscape planning carried out through the preparation and adoption of spatial planning and implementing acts; these are derived from the relevant expert bases, and determine the planned land use, the allocation of land, and the implementation of activities in the landscape, serving as the direct basis for the preparation of design solutions based on which permits for land development are issued. On principle, the long-term commitment of all stakeholders will be defined, and the continuous, concerted action of the state and local communities in the field of landscape protection, management and planning will be introduced, so that the operational functioning will also be consistent with the basic guidelines, and inclusive of the response to current problems/challenges. Desired state of the landscape In accordance with Article 6.d of the ELC, each Party undertakes “to define landscape quality objectives for the landscapes identified and assessed, after public consultation in accordance with Article 5.c” . The document defines the desired state of the landscape at strategic/national level, meaning that it answers the fundamental question, What kind of landscape do we want?”, which is considered in the preparation of all strategic planning acts and ministerial documents. The desired state of the landscape is expressed as a general objective or postulate (starting point, requirement, basic principle), which at the same time directs activ-F Ljubljana marshes, Nika Cigoj Sitar ities (analytical, planning, regulation, management), so as to make this 41 state a reality. For the process to be successful and to properly define the desired state of the Slovenian landscape, it is necessary to consult the public or all relevant stakeholders at the onset, in addition to expert work, and enable/ensure their active participation. The resolution also defines the obligation and guidelines for determining the desired landscape state at different/lower administrative levels, and in landscape units where the definitions are substantively more concrete/operational. 3 Legal framework International instruments The Landscape Policy of Slovenia is harmonised with international instruments that directly or indirectly relate to landscape protection, management and planning, and whose starting points and objectives are being achieved through it: • European Landscape Convention, • Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (Faro Convention), • resolutions and declarations of the Council of Europe, adopted at Ministerial Conferences, • resolutions and recommendations of the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers, • Agenda 2030, • Alpine Convention, the “Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation” Protocol The Landscape Policy must lead to the recognition or acknow-ledgement of landscapes in law (Article 5.a of the ELC) and the transpos-ition to ministerial policies (Article 5.d of the ELC), and other regula-15 https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/ With consistent advocacy of integrated spatial planning, an Act on tions that directly or indirectly relate to the landscape, so as to at least affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT landscape protection, management and planning, as is known for in-maintain, if not exceed, the achieved level of compliance with the ELC in 000000541949&categorieLien=id stance in France¹⁵ and in some parts of Spain (Valencia, Catalonia, ¹⁶ the future. Galicia, Cantabria), would be the most promising option to provide the 16 https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/ legal basis for unifying and upgrading expert work, and the measures for Landscape definition in legislation 2005/07/08/pdfs/A24186- more efficient landscape management at all levels. However, more real-The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia provides only indirect 24189.pdf istic is to upgrade existing regulations on spatial planning and construc-starting points for addressing the landscape. To provide for a more com-tion, as well as other regulations governing activities affecting the land-prehensive treatment of the landscape and the exercising of an indi-scape (nature conservation, protection of the cultural landscape, agricul-vidual's right to a quality living environment, as well as the strengthening tural measures) to provide clearer requirements for addressing the land-of national identity, it would be reasonable for the landscape to become a scape at all levels of landscape protection, management and planning. constitutional category. P Cerknica lake, Aleš Mlakar 42 43 17 The strategy should rely on the Landscape as the subject of strategic documents status/process analysis (such as In line with the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers overgrowing, dispersed construction (Recommendation CM/Rec (2008) 3 ..., 2008), which specifically high-and major development projects), and light the definition of landscape strategies, in most European countries, focus on responding to these the landscape is the subject of strategic documents, and thus included in processes. It should lay down the various (inter)ministerial programmes, agreements, research and pro-fundamental definitions of landscape jects, and guidelines. Since Slovenia does not have such a document, it is development and protection at crucial that the Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia, as hierarchic-national level, taking into account ally the ultimate spatial document, addresses landscape – in addition to integrated spatial development, settlement and infrastructure – as one of the three interconnected and changes of the urban development intertwined spatial systems. Otherwise, it would be necessary to adopt a concept, and the economic dimension National Landscape Strategy as the formal strategic landscape frame-of landscape. work. ¹⁷ 18 http://www.catpaisatge.net 4 Organisational framework 4.1 Organisational structure and responsibilities for implementing the Landscape Policy As regards the Landscape Policy implementation, it is determined which bodies with public mandate perform the tasks of a landscape planning authority in spatial planning, and who are the other stakeholders assigned the tasks and responsibilities for implementing the ELC and the Landscape Policy, and their mutual relations and manner of cooperation are defined. The stakeholders in landscape protection, management and planning are: • The Ministry competent for integrated landscape management or the national landscape specialist service: the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, which today plays the leading role in shaping the country's landscape policy, manages the process of preparing and adopting resolutions and action plans, and is responsible for implementing the ELC and the Landscape Policy of Slovenia. The optimal organisational form would be a landscape service as an interministerial coordination service for space and construction within the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, as already proposed in the document Culture of Space and Construction Now!) (2016). One option would be a special public institution modelled after the Landscape Observatory of Catalonia (Observatory del Paisatge). ¹⁸ The current organisational chart of the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning would, however, be followed by P Jezersko, Aleš Mlakar the establishment of a new Landscape Division within the Spatial 45 19 An example of such a successful Planning, Construction and Housing Directorate of the said Min-20 See Section 6 Financial Mechanisms. Measures — related to objectives 3.1, 3.2 operation is, e.g. the Interministerial istry. Regardless of its organisational form, the Landscape Service • Establishment of a national Landscape Service that implements the Coordination Group of the Alpine would formulate and supervise the implementation of the Land-21 The Swiss Federal Office for the Landscape Policy at operational level and acts as the landscape plan-Convention. Non-governmental scape Policy, and be responsible for the implementation of the ELC, Environment (https:// ning authority, designating responsible services/persons by ministry. organisations also participate as in cooperation with other ministries, and institutions at all admin-www.bafu.admin.ch) and the Catalan • Establishment of a Landscape Council. observers. istrative levels, while providing for their interaction and function-Landscape Observatory (http:// • Provision of funds for the establishment of a public landscape ing as the landscape planning authority. www.catpaisatge.net) set a good fund, ²⁰ used to finance research, outreach, and promotional cam- • Interministerial working group/Landscape Council at national example. paigns of the ELC and the Landscape Policy, etc. level: It continues the work of the interministerial working group formed in the framework of preparing the Starting points for draft-4.2 Data and information ing the Landscape Policy¹⁹, and providing for the formulation of By organising an appropriate Landscape Service, all landscape-re-strategic guidelines and more comprehensive ministerial docu-lated information would be collected in a single institution, which would ments, as well as the alignment of interests. also coordinate all key (interministerial) tasks and contribute to a more • Institutions and (cross)sectoral national and regional specialised efficient transfer of national policies to lower administrative levels. ²¹ and advisory services: They are important for the coordination of sectoral measures in practice, in particular because of direct contact Measures — related to objectives 3.4 with those who actually manage (maintain) the landscape and im- • Establishment and maintenance of a website (portal), where all the plement completely concrete solutions. relevant data and information related to landscape protection, plan- • Local communities: They are considered key stakeholders, owing to ning and management will be gathered, including financial mechan-their constitutional authority for spatial management, the enforce-isms and other management measures. The Landscape Policy website, ment of the ELC, and the implementation of the policy at local/oper-developed in the framework of preparing the Starting points for draft-ational level. ing the Landscape Policy, will be adopted and reasonably upgraded. • The Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning of Slovenia and • Defining a set of mandatory content which should be publicly avail-the Slovenian Chamber of Engineers: They provide professional able, and (some) binding data at all levels and in all activities of training and highly ethical expert work; they are crucial for the de-landscape protection, planning and management. velopment of the profession and good practices. • Key materials and databases are to be provided in the English language. • Societies pursuing the public interest in the field of spatial planning, environmental protection, nature conservation, cultural heritage 4.3 Landscape management organisation protection, water management, and other professional societies: Landscape is managed by many very diverse implementers carry-They play an important role in the development of the profession, ing out work and tasks, from institutions to natural persons (especially raising public awareness and advocating the public interest due to in agriculture). The sectors operating in landscape, and for whom land-their socio-critical stance in the preparation of systemic solutions scape is a development resource, also have at their disposal different fin-and in specific (environmentally/spatially controversial) situations. ancial mechanisms, while they have to reasonably fulfil the require- • Higher education institutions, vocational colleges and secondary ments specified in the spatial planning documents and thus actually im-schools, especially those in the field of spatial planning, landscape ar-plement them. In doing so, the implementers are limited by the compet-chitecture, urbanism, architecture, agronomy, forestry, geography, ences of their remit or area, as well as ownership in space, which can lead civil engineering, etc.: They hold an important place in the organisa-to conflict, misunderstandings, and consequently, to deficient manage-tional structure because of education, knowledge development (high, ment or even degradation of the landscape. It is therefore necessary to secondary, elementary, formal – informal) and research work. improve the coordination of the implementation of works and tasks in landscape management practice at all management levels, throughout the territory of the country/regions/municipalities. 46 47 Measures — related to objectives 3.2, 4.4 • Establishment of cross-sectoral cooperation at all hierarchical/ management levels. Establishment of an interdisciplinary landscape consulting service at regional level, or at least an integrated operation of the existing advisory and management services (e.g. agricultural consultant, district forester, conservationist, nature protection supervisor) for comprehensive and problem-oriented consulting in the field, coordinated by the Landscape Service, which also organises training of the individual consultants. • Promoting joint integral measures and more comprehensive sectoral measures in landscape that will enable effective achievement of the broader objectives and requirements provided for by spatial planning acts. • Establishment of a well-coordinated and transparent system of measures (current projects, completed projects, current financial mechanisms, training courses, tenders, informing managers and the local communities about opportunities and restrictions), to assist participants in landscape management and to make the management more efficient. 5 Landscape protection, planning and management tools The Landscape Policy will establish a system for the protection, management and planning of landscape, lay down the tools for its implementation, and define the measures for their deployment and application. Some of the tools are already defined and/or in use, but are not fully utilised, and above all, are not interconnected and aligned. 5.1 Glossary of landscape terms Appropriate terminology is the basis for the operation of any area of expertise. Due to the different, and in some cases even misleading, use of landscape terms in sectoral regulations and practice, misunderstandings, misconception or misinterpretation (of new technical terms in particular) occur in spatial planning and management processes, leading to difficult harmonisation across a wide area of spatial planning. Measures — related to objectives 4.1 • Preparing the Glossary of landscape terms and its regular updating P Argentina park, Ljubljana, Luka Vidic in response to professional and terminological innovations. 49 22 http://www.krajinskapolitika.si/ • Defining key technical terms as widely recognised and used in all strokovna-gradiva/#1546776312307-areas of addressing the landscape (spatial planning, management, 0a89124c-0435 protection, education and training, awareness-raising). 23 www.mediambient.ad/paisatge/ 5.2 Landscape typology and landscape catalogue cataleg-paisatge-andorra By producing the Regional Distribution of Landscape Types of Slovenia (1998)²², Slovenia became one of the first European countries to 24 http://www.catpaisatge.net/esp/ recognise and evaluate its landscape throughout the country. Since the catalegs.php landscape is a living organism, this material, which has also been exem-plary in an international context, and is among the most used in the con-25 https://www.gov.uk/government/ text of spatial planning and environmental impact assessment, is out-publications/national-character-area- dated and needs to be updated and upgraded, and should constitute one profiles-data-for-local-decision-of the input data items for sectoral strategies and programmes. It has making/national-character-area-been suggested to use the phrase “landscape catalogue”, following the ex-profiles ample of naming such tools in Europe, e.g. in Andorra²³ (Andorra Landscape Catalogue: Catàleg del paisatge d’Andorra), Catalonia (Landscape Catalogue: Catálogos de paisaje)²⁴, England (National Character Area Profiles)²⁵, France (Landscape Atlas: Atlas des Paysages, by department). Such a tool serves as an important starting point, but must not and cannot replace the necessary analysis of landscape and the expected changes in the spatial planning process. Measures — related to objectives 1.1, 1.3, 1.6, 2.1, 4.2 • Preparing the landscape catalogue as an update and upgrade of the Regional Distribution of Landscape Types of Slovenia in the form ensuring a more appropriate evaluation and regulation of the landscape, of an online application. Particular attention will be paid to the in the preparation of regional and municipal strategic and implementing guidelines, so they would be consistent with the desired state and acts, and actually introducing the regional level of landscape development the objectives of landscape development and protection, and would planning, while in better integrated spatial planning and environmental relate to the management of delineated landscape areas which are protection processes, landscape would be more efficiently addressed from independent of administrative borders. the strategic level to the design solutions and the implementation itself. • Establishment of the landscape catalogue as a fundamental tool for At the same time, this prevents the doctrine of partially solving locally landscape protection, management and planning, and as a binding constrained development problems. basis in the planning and/or decision-making process Measures — related to objectives 1.1–1.6, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.3 5.3 Spatial planning and building construction • Preparing the general guidelines for landscape protection, planning Spatial planning is a crucial tool for landscape protection, planning and management. and management. It is necessary to define an appropriate landscape • In national, regional, and municipal strategic planning acts, land-framework, the basic requirements and content in the context of provid-scape is treated as one of three systems (in addition to settlement ing a comprehensive spatial planning system for both spatial planning and infrastructure) that are interconnected. and building construction. This would result in going beyond the narrow • Amending spatial legislation so as to enact the obligation to create sci-ministry-oriented planning, improving interministerial coordination, P Bela krajina, Jelka Hudoklin entific bases for landscape in spatial planning documents, the obliga-50 51 tion to define the desired state of individual landscapes, the legal basis 26 Izjemne krajine Slovenije • Active involvement of the Landscape Service in the SEA procedures for the protection or sustainable development of outstanding land- (Outstanding Landscapes of Slovenia) by preparing opinions on the adequacy of the environmental report scapes and the obligation to produce a landscape concept plan also for (Ogrin et al., 1999), and the opinions on the acceptability of the impacts of the plans, and more extensive nature protected areas, according to the Nature Con-http://www.krajinskapolitika.si/wp- in the EIA procedures. servation Act (ZON) and for the areas of national landscape identity. content/uploads/2018/10/Izjemne- • Preparing recommendations or a guide for addressing the landscape • Establishment (actual production) of landscape concept plans as krajine-Slovenije_Ogrin_1999-1.pdf (in particular the criteria for assessing the impact on landscape) in the scientific basis contributing the conceptual starting points for environmental and environmental impact reports. the development and protection at the strategic level of spatial planning, and contributing the detailed criteria for regulation and im-5.5 Protected and special landscape areas plementation measures at the implementation level. Landscape protection is primarily provided in the spatial planning • Preparing a secondary regulation, or at least a manual/instruction, process and through the provisions of spatial planning documents. Con-with an emphasis on the content of scientific bases and spatial plan-sidering the analytical findings related to the situation in the Slovenian ning documents addressing the landscape (landscape evaluation, landscape and in planning and management practice, landscape protec-landscape concept plan, green system and green infrastructure, ortion should be established (standardised, formal) by defining protected dinance on regulating settlement and landscape image). areas and special landscape areas, which must be taken into account in • A more appropriate treatment of landscape in construction legisla-spatial planning and environmental impact assessment, as well as in au-tion by enforcing the obligation to produce project documentation thorising interventions in the landscape and landscape management. for the regulation of public open spaces, and by defining spatial ar-A clear purpose in the landscape protection, management and plan-rangements and developments that require a landscape architec-ning system, and a legal regime of specific degree of mildness/strictness, ture plan. are set for each category. The already identified categories of protected and special landscape areas are used; however, they are slightly remod-5.4 Environmental/Landscape impact assessment elled in terms of formalisation (legal definition), regime (mode and scope Landscape impact assessment is a tool that is at present underused of protection) and expected effect (the consequences of the protection re-or even misused. While environmental regulations provide for a (compre-gime). A major novelty is the introduction of the formal protection of out-hensive) landscape impact assessment, a comprehensive/strategic envir-standing landscapes at national level, with these landscapes being desig-onmental impact assessment (SEA), which could serve as a good landscape nated as a planning category at regional and local levels: protection tool, is nowadays poorly utilised and rather ineffective in this Heritage cultural landscapes: The list of these landscapes needs area. Landscape is not the focus of interest of the ministries responsible to be supplemented, but if the category of outstanding landscapes, as for environmental protection and space (with the exception of heritage proposed below, is introduced, it is reasonable to consider abolishing the landscapes within the competence of the Ministry of Culture). There is no category of heritage cultural landscapes. competent landscape planning authority to issue an opinion on the ap-Outstanding landscapes:²⁶ In view of the significant changes in propriateness of environmental reports and the acceptability of plan im-Slovenian landscapes over the last 20 years, the criteria for defining out-pacts specific to landscape. Therefore, in environmental impact assess-standing landscapes at regional and local levels should be applied, and the ments, attention paid to landscape is marginal, and landscape is neg-set of outstanding landscapes at national level updated and included in lected and inadequately addressed. publicly available and binding data in spatial planning, environmental impact assessment (landscape) and (sectoral) management. The legal Measures — related to objectives 1.1–1.6, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.3 basis for the protection and sustainable development of outstanding land- • Integration of spatial planning and (comprehensive) environ-scapes must be adopted. Outstanding landscapes are defined on two levels: mental/landscape impact assessment procedures, and transforma- • outstanding landscapes of national importance as a conservation tion of the (comprehensive) environmental/landscape impact as-category: to be determined by a regulation or other legal act that will sessment into an optimisation, planning task. protect all areas at once for the whole territory of the country; 52 53 27 Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)8 of • outstanding landscapes of local importance as a planning cat-the Committee of Ministers to egory: they are determined based on the analysis and evaluation in Member States on the the framework of scientific bases in the process of formulating a re-implementation of Article 9 of the gional spatial plan, a municipal spatial plan, and a municipal stra-European Landscape Convention on tegic spatial plan. Transfrontier Landscapes, https://search.coe.int/cm/pages/ Areas and elements of landscape identity: Areas of landscape iden-result_details.aspx?objectid=090000 tity at national level, areas of landscape identity at local level and the iden-16805c2a58 tity elements of quality, exceptional, or characteristic spatial structure ap-pearing throughout the Slovenian territory, are to be defined. They depend on the typological characteristics of the landscape and have an impact on the identity of the area, and therefore need to be maintained, upgraded, or rehabilitated. Wider protected areas under nature conservation regulations: While landscape in national, regional, and landscape parks is not the basic object, content, and purpose of protection, it is nevertheless protected by various measures. Natural landscape values and landscape features that are important for the conservation of biodiversity: The categories belong to the areas or elements of nature protection but are not sufficiently established. It should be examined if it is reasonable to preserve these categories. Transfrontier landscapes: This is not a conservation category. It is being introduced in border regions/municipalities, following the recommendation of the Committee of Ministers, which encourages the ELC Parties to cooperate with local and regional authorities in drawing up programmes for improving transfrontier landscapes. ²⁷ Measures — related to objectives 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 3.2 • Providing for relevant provisions in the Spatial Planning Act • Effective coordination of spatial and management measures (ZUreP-2) as the legal basis for protecting outstanding landscapes in overlapping legal regimes, discrepancies, or conflicts. of national importance and establishing outstanding landscapes of regional/local importance as a planning category. 5.6 Sectoral development programmes • Updating the set of landscape identity areas at national level in the and other documents Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia. Ministries or individual sectors are involved in spatial planning and • Supplementing the list of heritage landscapes or transforming the construction processes, as landscape planning authorities providing their category into outstanding landscapes. guidelines and opinions, as well as development initiatives and pro- • Integrating landscape protection and development into the grammes, and through their actions and activities, additionally contrib-management programmes for wider protected areas in the field ute to landscape. The need for the effective coordination of ministries in of nature conservation. the spatial planning and landscape management procedures is becom- • Encouraging stakeholders at local and regional levels to prepare ing increasingly evident in practice. Management is essential for the im-joint programmes. P Dragotinci, Luka Vidic plementation of the provisions of the spatial plans and landscape protec-54 55 tion conditions, and the goals and principles enshrined in the strategic 28 http://www.catpaisatge.net/ formalise such cooperation by agreement – such a collaboration tool, for documents of the state, regions, and local communities. monlocal/eng/cartes.php example, is known in Catalonia. ²⁸ In order to achieve the desired state of landscape, it is necessary to develop guidelines for targeting the measures of ministries and sectors Measures — related to objectives 1.1–1.6, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 6.1 operating in the field of landscape, at maintaining landscape quality and • Building partnerships for the implementation of systemic rehabilitating degraded areas, as well as the guidelines for evaluating the solutions in the field of spatial planning and management of landscape, directing spatial development, and coordinating the planning individual (special) landscape areas. and implementation of ministerial actions. • Development and promotion of good practices in the field of active Particular attention is paid to addressing landscape in management public involvement in spatial planning and landscape management plans that are implemented in accordance with nature conservation regu-procedures. lations and other sectoral regulations. • Financial measures and expert assistance from the state at local and regional levels, as an incentive to participate in the Measures — related to objectives 3.1, 4.4 preparation/implementation of joint landscape management • Integration of landscape protection, management and planning programmes. conditions into ministerial documents. A set of contents is defined • Promoting projects to involve the public in landscape protection, to be included in ministerial strategies, development programmes, planning and management processes. management plans, and other documents. • Involvement of the competent Landscape Service in the drafting of 5.8 Monitoring and control ministerial documents and the operation of the interministerial Good knowledge of the state of the environment is a prerequisite for working group. designing and monitoring the effectiveness of measures in all areas. In Slovenia, monitoring of the situation at national, regional, or local level is 5.7 Collaboration and partnerships not yet fully developed, and is implemented in practice in a very curtailed The demands for a better and more active involvement of the public form. An important shift in this area comes with ZUreP-2, which stipu-in the spatial planning and construction processes, in line with Article 5.c lates a system for monitoring the state of spatial development and the pre-of the European Landscape Convention, are increasingly at the forefront: paration of a report on spatial development every four years. Therefore, “[Each Party] undertakes to establish procedures for the participation of the obligation to monitor the situation, the dynamics of issuing reports, the general public, local and regional authorities, and other parties with an and the indicators for monitoring the landscape situation are determined. interest in the definition and implementation of the landscape policies”. Based on the public consultations already carried out in the Measures — related to objectives 3.3 framework of preparing the Starting points for drafting the Landscape • Defining indicators for monitoring the landscape state in the Policy, and on the basis of targeted consultations in the process of ad-system for monitoring the state of space/environment. opting the document on Landscape Policy, all important contents of • Preparing reports on the state of the landscape and the Landscape Policy are defined, and in particular the desired state of implementation of Landscape Policy every four years. Slovenian landscapes, which should thus become a joint commitment of • Expanding/clarifying the powers of the Inspectorate of the all stakeholders. Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial Planning, Particular attention is given to identifying the starting points for and ensuring cooperation with other inspectorates (with indirect more active involvement of local communities in addressing landscape powers for landscape). content, disseminating the importance of landscape and proper management to achieve the desired state of landscape. Of key importance is the constructive and voluntary cooperation of individual (public and private) agents in landscape protection, planning and management, who can also 56 57 29 http://www.dkas.si/popup/?id=11,0 6 Raising awareness, education, development of the profession and good practices The Committee of Ministers, in its recommendations on raising the awareness of the landscape through education, highlights the contribution of the ELC to the exercise of human rights and democracy with a view to sustainable development, and stresses the importance and diversity of the landscape for the mental and physical development of individuals and society. In Slovenia, awareness of the importance of the landscape in the professional and general public should be increased, the integration of landscape management in educational processes should be improved, the value system of the general public should be developed, and the professional public should be educated and informed about good practice. 6.1 Awareness-raising Key programmes and methods of raising public awareness are defined, both on the basis of the methods prescribed in the administrative procedures in which the public participates (e.g. public display of spatial planning documents), and through media announcements. The implementation of specific projects to raise awareness of the importance of landscape as a common good, and of responsible management, is encouraged, taking into account the experience with successful projects of this type, such as the project “We are making our landscape (2004-2005)”. ²⁹ Measures — related to objectives 1.1–1.6, 2.3, 5.1 • Promoting/encouraging good practice and highlighting negative phenomena (also as part of the report on the state of the landscape). • Promoting press releases. • Promoting public awareness and involvement of the public in landscape planning, protection and management processes. • Promoting the functioning of NGOs whose core function is the responsible planning, protection and management of landscape. 6.2 Education and research Promoting better integration of landscape issues into educational processes (primary and secondary schools) and into the creation of a value system for the general public. Paying special attention to educating the professional public and familiarising it with good practice examples, so as to provide for comprehensive knowledge, understanding of natural and social processes, the principles of landscape planning, etc. at all levels of P Park Zvezda, Luka Vidic landscape planning, protection and management. 58 30 https://www.vital-landscapes.eu/ Measures — related to objectives 1.1–1.6, 2.3, 5.1 • Connecting, raising awareness, and educating all stakeholders in the field of education and training. • Introducing professionally aligned content in educational programmes at all levels. • Increasing the scope of landscape topics in the continuous vocational training of the Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning of Slovenia (ZAPS). • Establishing a research institution in the field of landscape planning, protection and management. 6.3 Promotion, examples of good practice, rewards The design, development and implementation of good practice in all areas of landscape management is facilitated and encouraged. Examples of good practice are promoted in the professional and general public, and made publicly available. A Landscape Service is established in this field as the main activity operator, which is responsible for the on-going evaluation and publication of good practice examples (instructions, recommendations, manuals, sample cases for landscape management) in spatial planning, environmental impact assessment and design, and ensures promotion (e.g. through media coverage, either by exposing good practice or critiquing bad practice) and the rewarding of best practices. The implementation of target-oriented projects is encouraged, e.g. modelled after the Vital Landscapes (2011) project. ³⁰ Measures — related to objectives 1.1–1.6, 2.3, 5.1 • Promoting examples of good practice in the media, and providing relevant knowledge, skills and awareness in the media. • Selecting the works to be nominated as Slovenian candidates for the Council of Europe award that will compete at European level. • Promoting the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe, assisting the competent Landscape Service in the preparation of applications. • Setting up a prize fund for a national award for quality performance in the field of landscape. P river Ljubljanica on Ljubljana Marshes, Luka Vidic 61 7. Financial mechanisms 8 Action plan for 2020–2025 In accordance with the recommendations of the Committee of Min-The proposal for priority actions for the first five-year period (2020– isters related to the creation of public funds for landscape, financial 2025) includes actions that have been identified as essential and should be mechanisms for landscape planning, protection and management are set carried out as soon as possible, as they are either a (pre)condition for the up. Appropriate financial mechanisms and methods of stakeholder in-implementation of other measures, or are relatively simple and do not re-volvement should be determined, e.g. the promotion of public and/or quire a large financial or organisational input. These actions are the fol-private financing and other sources, such as lottery funds, allocating a lowing: part of the investment amount in infrastructural facilities, tourist taxes • Upgrading the landscape website, designating a manager and estab-or charges related to public works, and contractual protection, common lishing regular management (2020) documents, etc. Taking into account the guidelines for the management of • Developing general guidelines for landscape planning, protection protected and special landscape areas, the financial support/incentives, and management (2021) nowadays known chiefly in the context of agricultural policies, nature con- • Producing a guide for landscape management in spatial planning servation and climate policies, are becoming a commitment to the protec-and environmental impact assessment (2021) tion, maintenance and comprehensive management of landscape. • Updating the Regional Distribution of Landscape Types in Slovenia, and transforming it into an online application (2020–2024) Measures — related to objectives 6.1, indirectly to other • Defining the set of outstanding landscapes and their formal protec-objectives as well tion (2020–2022) • Preparing a special project as the scientific basis/starting point for • Setting up a system of financial mechanisms (2020–2025) the implementation of financial mechanisms at all levels of land- • Educating and raising the awareness of the importance (of plan-scape management. ning, protection and management) of the landscape (2020-2025) • Establishing a public landscape fund, primarily dedicated to landscape management (maintenance, restoration, rehabilitation of degraded areas), which will also serve as a source of funds for research and awareness-raising, and promotion of the ELC and landscape policy. • Targeting sectoral financial mechanisms for the implementation of measures to maintain cultural (especially outstanding) landscapes, and preserve their identity. • Setting up mechanisms for the regulation and maintenance of green and other public open spaces. • Establishing a well-coordinated and transparent system of current financial mechanisms and consulting, with publicly available back-ground information. 62 63 Conclusion: From concept to resolution P Polhograjsko hribovje (s cerkvijo sv. Jakoba) - Polhov Gradec hills (with church of St. Jakob), Luka Vidic 65 The material “THE CONCEPT OF THE LANDSCAPE POLICY OF SLOVENIA”, together with other materials prepared within the framework of the project Protection and Development of the Slovenian Landscape: Starting points for drafting the Landscape Policy provide the scientific basis for drafting the Landscape Policy of Slovenia. Its adoption and implementation are expected to bring about significant shifts in understanding the importance of the landscape for the development of society and an improved situation in the field of landscape protection, planning and management. Its implementation requires the launch of the preparation process, which will lead to the final adoption of the formal document and to the appropriate organisational framework, thus enabling Slovenia to become one of the European countries actively pursuing the objectives of the European Landscape Convention. The formulation of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia must be devised as a process that requires broad coordination and support from various stakeholders in all segments of society. The first step in this process must be the establishment of an interministerial group of (at least) four ministries - the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism, and in the role of coordinator, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning. Within the sphere of competence of this group, priority should be given to defining the method of preparation, the structure and content of the document, as well as the stakeholders and their involvement in the preparation and adoption of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia. Being aware that the implementation of the Landscape Policy of Slovenia will only be effective if it enjoys the wide support of society, we are already inviting and collecting all comments you might have regarding the concept presented, which can be sent to e-mail address mnenja@krajinskapolitika.si. The comments received will be used to improve the starting points and devise further steps, from the concept to the resolution on the Landscape Policy of Slovenia. 66 67 Why do we need Landscape policy of Slovenia? To heighten the meaning of landscape in society and to have a right to enjoy a quality landscape. To establish a comprehensive landscape protection, planning and management system. To manage landscape responsibly, reflecting its importance to society. To maintain and raise the quality of the Slovenian landscape; To ensure a systemically regulated, coherent and coordinated action of all stakeholders in relation to landscape protection, planning and management. To promote and raise landscape awareness. To effectively implement the European Landscape Convention. To realize the commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To join prominent countries which implement progressive solutions in the field of landscape protection, planning and management.