**Section 2**

**Landscape Design** 

248 Landscape Planning

Smart Communities Network, (2004). *Key Planning Principles, Ecological Landscape Planning.*

Tixerant, M. L., Gourmelon, F., Tissot, C., Brosset, D. (2010). Moddeling of Human Activity

Tozar, T. & T. Ayaşlgil, (2008). Ecological planning methods for sustainable management of

Turner M.C. 1989. Landscape ecology, the effect of pattern on process. *Annual Review of* 

Development in Coastal Sea Areas, *Journal Coastal Conservation*, DOI

natural resources. *Journal of the Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University,* Seri A, Cilt:58.

(http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/landuse/luecldsc.shtml).

Available from:

Say 1. Istanbul.

Date of Access: 20.01.2012

10.1007/s11852-010-0093-4

*Ecology Systematics*; 20:171–9.

**12** 

*Turkey* 

**Landscape Perception** 

*"... landscape is composed of not only of what lies before our eyes but what lies within our heads."* 

Landscape, as a term, has been subject to a wide range of disciplines, such as art, history, geography, ecology, politics, planning and design. Although it has been associated with mainly physical features of an environment, today the term landscape refers to much more than just scenery. Landscape is a complex phenomenon which evolves continuously through time and space. It is a reflection of both natural processes and cultural changes throughout time. Landscapes can be a product of either only natural processes (natural landscapes) or human intervention on natural ecosystems (cultural landscapes). Nowadays, it is almost impossible to encounter with a natural landscape in our daily lives. Most of the natural landscapes have been modified by human activities. Hence, they are embedded with symbolic meanings of our societies' cultural diversity and identity. On the other hand, the deterioration of natural ecosystems has become an important issue in sustainable development, since we depend on natural resources to survive. Thus, as natural and cultural heritages, landscapes need to be protected and managed in the context of sustainability. In 2000, Council of Europe adopted the European Landscape Convention (ELC) to promote sustainable planning, protection and management of European landscapes. ELC defines

"…*an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of* 

The definition of ELC puts an emphasis on the perceptual dimension of the landscape. Since landscape involves a subjective experience, it encompasses a perceptive, artistic and existential meaning (Antrop, 2005). Figure 1 shows the components of a landscape, which hence influence perception of the landscape. There is a mutual relationship between individual and the surrounding environment. People are intrinsically involved with their living environments to survive. They use and shape the physical environment to meet their physical and social needs. While environments are shaped by people, people are inspired and shaped by their environments as well. Thus, perception of the environment or the landscape has become an area of concern of various disciplines in order to understand and

explain this interaction between people and their physical settings.

**1. Introduction** 

landscape as:

*natural and/or human factors*".

Isil Cakci Kaymaz *Ankara University* 

*D.W. Meinig (1979)* 
