Anna Marson /Techno-Scientific Secretariat, National Observatory for Landscape Quality (MIBACT) &
IUAV University
[email protected]
The role of the Landscape Observatories for enhancing Terraced Landscapes
Why our Heritage of Terraced Landscapes is so
important for the future?
In Italy, as well as for a large extension of the Mediterranean region, the Heritage
of Terraced Landscapes is extremely diffuse and altogether little known.
Generally, terraces are to be found in steep and therefore less “developed” areas.
They represent a cultural heritage incorporating a lot of knowledge about how to
deal with nature in a sustainable (durable) way.
The role of terraces in centuries (la longue durée) has been at least a double one:
- slowing down hydrogeological dynamics
- creating new fertile soil.
Not by chance the Register of Historical Rural Landscapes, promoted by MIPAAF,
makes reference to many terraced areas…
Today these terraced areas represent not only a rich depository of applied
knowledges, but also great places for a diverse, more wise, development of
human wellbeing, with specific reference to the so-called “interior areas” and the
issue of re-inhabiting them.
What does it mean to look at this as a Landscape?
When we look at terraced areas, it is quite evident that their landscape represent
the result of good and useful practices, able to last along time (Vitruvius firmitas,
utilitas, venustas)
Today we look at Landscape no longer as just an aesthetical experience, but first of
all as a structure produced by a number of positive relations, in this case a
successful and lasting synthesis of firmitas and utilitas (in multifunctional terms,
of course) and therefore venustas…
Are public policies and institutions tuned on this? Not so much, rather the scheme
Protection vs No care at all still prevails
-
in some regions, terraced landscapes are within Protected area; this helps to
avoid great alteration, but not dereliction (Cinque Terre, Amalfi coast etc.)
-
In a larger number of places outside these areas terraced landscapes are still
undergoing rough destruction processes, in order to plant new hazel groves or
vineyards. No effort to adapt tractors to places, nor to preserve some genius
loci.
Is Protection vs rough Destruction the only scheme at hand?
Not for sure!
Landscape Plans for the whole regional territories (like those for Apulia and
Tuscany, approved in 2015), offering a deeper knowledge of the different
landscapes, and rules to host transformation without destroying them
&
Bottom – Up action by people and local associations, making a daily voluntary
work to raise place-consciousness, to show that better practices are feasible, to
stop ‘ignorant’ destruction…, using planning methods able to mobilize inhabitants
in rediscovering local know-how, bridging codified and contextual knowledge (like
in dry stone building workshops)
…. represent a promising perspective
The role of Landscape Observatories is, first of all, to give this perspective some
roots
The first meeting of the Landscape Observatories, Rome (MIBACT)
December 17th 2015
The National Observatory for the quality of Landscape (MIBACT)
Regional Observatories (just a few, so far)
Local Observatories (among those, the Piedmont network of LO)
The National Observatory: an institution (the only one in Italy?), addressing the issue of
landscape policies at the national level
Operational since about one year, the NOQL is currently:
- Giving advice on a number of controversial disputes regarding landscape;
- Fostering the making of regional Landscape Plans
- Posing the issue of developing specific landscape policies as a result of intersectoral
action (for instance: making landscape a key point of the new strategic plan for
tourism)
“Observing” in this case means not only to look at, but bringing forward reflexive action..
The risk for NOQL: a bureaucratic top-down action (instead than a reference point for
the web of actors interested into and capable of good practices and policies)
Which relation between Terraced Landscapes and Landscape Observatories?
- a number of Local Observatories (Canale di Brenta has been probably the first) have
grown out of a specific interest for bringing new life into derelict Terraced Landscapes;
- if we look at landscape as a structure produced by a number of positive relations, as a
synthesis of firmitas, utilitas, and venustas, Terraced Landscapes represent an
excellent “litmus test” for public policies to properly deal with landscape issues;
- the knowledge and experience of the Landscape Observatories network could be
precious for bridging the gap between the often too rigid rules of “protection” and the
“no care at all” situations;
- the National Observatory, finally, having among its actors a representative of the
Ministry for Agricultural Policies, might open a collective focus on Terraced
Landscapes, with a specific reference to the relation between agriculture payments
and rules for the landscape.
Recognizing Terraced Landscapes as an Heritage for rethinking our future, as a mean of
new life and wellbeing, means at least to make the effort to better relate the different
public policies acting upon them. The new PITs (Territorial integrated projects) might
represent a tool for experimenting new forms of financing able to integrate landscape
and agricultural production objectives.
It is not an easy challenge, but we must use this collective momentum to take on it!