Landscape Management Community Organizations in the Conservation Systems after Designation of Important Cultural Landscapes

Abstract

The lives and livelihoods of local people strongly influence cultural landscapes; hence, the local governments, together with the local people, must organize and establish conservation systems for these landscapes. However, if existing maintenance activities are not actively followed before the designation of important cultural landscapes, promoting the conservation and utilization of these landscapes after the designation may be difficult. This study aims to clarify the role of local governments in establishing effective conservation systems that involve community organizations after the designation. We analyzed the characteristics of conservation systems described in the preservation plans of important cultural landscapes. Furthermore, we conducted a questionnaire to help municipalities understand the pertinent activities necessary for maintaining cultural landscapes in the designated areas. Consequently, we determined that the actual conservation systems required after the designation do not necessarily match those described in the preservation plans. New action groups were established to assist in various projects begun after the designation. Furthermore, municipalities with few precedents of landscape conservation and community development find it difficult to promote conservation activities and establish community-based conservation systems.