Contribution of Geography to Landscape Policy in Italy: Discussion on the Case of the Landscape Planning in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region

Abstract

This study focuses on the contribution of geography to landscape policy in Italy, with a particular emphasis on the perspectives and expertise provided by geographers in the formulation of landscape planning in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The core of the investigation consists in interviews with the expert team from the University of Udine entrusted with the task of devising the plan, along with an analysis of planning documents and related academic outputs. The results of the research reveal that the achievements of the team, primarily composed of geographers, significantly transcended Italy’s institutional culture, which traditionally prioritises the preservation of cultural heritage. Instead, the team encompassed the region’s entire territory and developed a forward-thinking plan anchoring it on the European Landscape Convention. Furthermore, a citizen participation process involving municipal authorities contributed substantially to enrich the regional plan with local experiential knowledge. It also deserves noting that the strength of geography as a comprehensive human-social science was demonstrated by its leading role in integrating diverse specialised knowledge relevant to landscape research.