A methodology for creating greenways through multidisciplinary sustainable landscape planning

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2010-03, Vol.91 (4), p.970-983
• Main Authors: Pena, Selma Beatriz, Abreu, Maria Manuela, Teles, Rui, Espírito-Santo, Maria Dalila
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Cultural factors; Culture; Ecology; Environment and sustainable development; Environment Design; Environmental planning; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geology; geomorphology; Green corridors; Greenway design; Land use; Landscape; landscape ecology; Landscape system; landscaping; Lisbon metropolitan area (Portugal); Methodology; Metropolitan areas; Parks & recreation areas; Planning Techniques; Plants; Portugal; Recreation; Rural areas; Rural greenway planning; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Urban planning; vegetation
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.12.004

This research proposes a methodology for defining greenways via sustainable planning. This approach includes the analysis and discussion of culture and natural processes that occur in the landscape. The proposed methodology is structured in three phases: eco-cultural analysis; synthesis and diagnosis; and proposal. An interdisciplinary approach provides an assessment of the relationships between landscape structure and landscape dynamics, which are essential to any landscape management or land use. The landscape eco-cultural analysis provides a biophysical, dynamic (geomorphologic rate), vegetation (habitats from directive 92/43/EEC) and cultural characterisation. The knowledge obtained by this analysis then supports the definition of priority actions to stabilise the landscape and the management measures for the habitats. After the analysis and diagnosis phases, a proposal for the development of sustainable greenways can be achieved. This methodology was applied to a study area of the Azambuja Municipality in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (Portugal). The application of the proposed methodology to the study area shows that landscape stability is crucial for greenway users in order to appreciate the landscape and its natural and cultural elements in a sustainable and healthy way, both by cycling or by foot. A balanced landscape will increase the value of greenways and in return, they can develop socio-economic activities with benefits for rural communities.