Landscape changes and function lost landscape values

Abstract

Land use and valuable landscape features are such kind of elements of the landscape, which are worth to be taken into account in a landscape plan that deals with the continuous sustainable transformation of landscapes, and provides frame for management, development and protection. The ratio of land use types and landscape features can be determined as landscape values that are relevant for management, protection, or planning purposes. The article focuses on land use driven landscape changes of the last few decades in general, and in a study area in Budapest Agglomeration called Southern Buda Region. It concentrates on changing landscapes represented by land use changes and remaining landscape values with lost functions in transformed or abandoned landscapes. The statistical documentation of land use types is relevant from the end of the 19th century but surveying, inventarisation and protection of landscape values started at our department at the end of the 1970s. From that time it is obvious that the sprawling settlements endanger the existence of the valuable characteristic landscape elements of the past. This paper interprets such an analysis which concentrates on transforming character, altering landscape functions and the re-usability of landscape values of past landscapes in the pilot area. © 2012, ALÖKI Kft., Budapest, Hungary.