As a reflection of European identity and diversity, the landscape is our living natural and cultural heritage... Within the meaning of the European Landscape Convention the close links between the notion of landscape and human rights, democracy and sustainable development deserve to be highlighted. Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)7 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states on the contribution of the European Landscape Convention to the exercise of human rights and democracy with a view to sustainable development, emphasises the need to “consider the importance that quality and diversity of landscapes has for the minds and bodies of human beings, as well as for societies”. The forthcoming opening of the convention to non-European states provides a unique opportunity to reaffirm the universal nature of human rights. The implementation of the convention represents an effective contribution by the Council of Europe to realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

EmAs a reflection of European identity and diversity, the landscape is our living natural and cultural heritage.../em Within the meaning of the European Landscape Convention the close links between the notion of landscape and human rights, democracy and sustainable development deserve to be highlighted. Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)7 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states on the contribution of the European Landscape Convention to the exercise of human rights and democracy with a view to sustainable development, emphasises the need to "consider the importance that quality and diversity of landscapes has for the minds and bodies of human beings, as well as for societies". The forthcoming opening of the convention to non-European states provides a unique opportunity to reaffirm the universal nature of human rights. The implementation of the convention represents an effective contribution by the Council of Europe to realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

The European Landscape Convention was adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe with the aim of promoting the protection, management and planning of European landscape and organising European co-operation in this area. It is the first international treaty covering all aspects of landscape. It applies to the entire territory of the contracting parties and covers natural, rural, urban and peri-urban areas. It concerns landscapes that might be considered outstanding, commonplace or deteriorated. The convention represents an important contribution to achieving the Council of Europe's objectives, namely to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as to seek common solutions to the main problems facing European society. By taking into account landscape, culture and nature, the Council of Europe seeks to protect the quality of life and well-being of Europeans in a sustainable development perspective.

As a key element of individual and social well-being and quality of life, landscape plays an important part in human fulfilment and in reinforcement of European identity. Adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe, the European Landscape Convention aims to promote the protection, management and planning of landscapes, and to organise international co-operation in this field. It applies to the entire territory of the contracting parties and covers natural, rural, urban and peri-urban areas. It concerns landscapes considered outstanding, as well as everyday or degraded areas. Certain “dimensions” of the landscape are presented in this publication, which addresses key issues for its future, including democracy, education, economy, leisure and advertising. Landscape management processes – and even the term “landscape” itself – are also analysed. This book forms part of a process of reflection on the major themes concerning the living environment.

The European Landscape Convention has introduced a Europe-wide concept of protection, management and planning of all landscapes – not just the outstanding ones. This book reflects on the background to the establishment of the convention, takes a critical look at examples and experiences of its implementation, and discusses future developments for the convention and the management of landscapes in Europe. A decade after the creation of the European Landscape Convention, this book asks how it has influenced the governance and development of European landscapes, and what role it will play in the coming years. The authors provide a wide range of analyses, reflections and visions, informed by their diverse experiences of researching, working with and using the convention. The sixteen essays are organised into three sections, focusing on the fundamental concepts and values behind the convention, current projects and experiences of implementation, and prospects for future developments.

Landscape protection, management and planning entail rights and responsibilities for everyone. The Council of Europe Landscape Convention aims to promote the protection, management and planning of landscapes, and to organise international co-operation in this field. It applies to the entire territory of the contracting parties and covers natural, rural, urban and peri-urban areas. It concerns landscapes considered outstanding, as well as everyday or degraded areas. This publication presents thoughts and proposals for the implementation of the convention and addresses a "mosaic" of key issues related to its future. It forms part of a process of reflection on major themes concerning the living environment.

European cultural heritage is inherently complex and layered. In the past, conflicting or controversial perspectives on different historical memories and experiences have been colliding in the rich cultural landscape of Europe and continue to do so in the present. Contemporary projects of re-activation of contentious spaces seem to challenge both the traditional design parameters and the role of spatial practitioners. They require new strategies that effectively mix top-down and bottom-up impulses, through a new design approach that is still in search of a clear definition. Contested Spaces, Concerted Projects collects the stories of some selected cases of difficult built heritage, in order to highlight the most innovative methodologies of re-activation, by which architects, artists, designers and collectives have developed new participatory public interfaces.

The European Landscape Convention was adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe with the aim of promoting the protection, management and planning of European landscape and organising European co-operation in this area. It is the first international treaty covering all aspects of landscape. It applies to the entire territory of the contracting parties and covers natural, rural, urban and peri-urban areas. It concerns landscapes that might be considered outstanding, commonplace or deteriorated. The convention represents an important contribution to achieving the Council of Europe's objectives, namely to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as to seek common solutions to the main problems facing European society. By taking into account landscape, culture and nature, the Council of Europe seeks to protect the quality of life and well-being of Europeans in a sustainable development perspective.

Today, cities are being intensively reshaped by unexpected dynamics. The rise and growth of the digital economy have fundamentally changed the relationship between the urban fabric and its resident community, overcoming the conventional hierarchy based on production priorities. Moreover, contemporary society discovers new labour conditions and ways of satisfying needs and desires by developing new synergies and links. This book examines cultural and urban commons from a multidisciplinary perspective. Economists, architects, urban planners, sociologists, designers, political scientists, and artists explore the impact and implications of cultural commons on urban change. The contributions discuss both cases of successful urban participation and cases of strong social conflict, while also addressing a host of institutional contradictions and dilemmas. The first part of the book examines urban commons in response to institutional constraints from a theoretical point of view. The second and third parts apply the theories to case studies and discuss various practices of sustainable planning and re-appropriation in the urban context. In closing, the fourth part develops a new urban agenda as artists imagine it. This book will appeal to scholars interested in the social, economic and institutional implications of cultural and urban commons, and provide useful insights and tools to help local governments and policymakers manage social, cultural and economic change.