Understanding place identity in terms of both its intensity and the contents that underpin it is an important source for understanding intergroup relationships between neighbourhoods in an urban context. To tackle this objective, a municipality in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area in Portugal was selected due to identity heterogeneity between its four parishes. Participants were asked to evaluate their identity with the place, the prestige and the quality perception of the municipality parishes and to characterize the municipality based on a set of features. Two hundred and one participants from the municipality answered a questionnaire. Overall, we found that each parish had its own strategy to achieve a positive identity through differentiation of others and favouritism of themselves, which was linked with the type of content chosen. The results allowed us to identify four types of strategies for achieving a positive identity: mobility, assimilation, social creativity and out-group bias. Thus, the current study revealed that the intergroup dynamics between spatially defined groups can be characterized by the features of place identity, which can support future planning and development of the territory.

In recent years, migration and people's mobility have raised questions on how people bond with places, as mobility challenges traditional views on rootedness and fixed bonds with a place. Thus, this paper tackles the relationship between people and the places they live in by investigating place attachment profiles among different mobility-experienced groups. Specifically, the present study set out to identify attachment profiles based on different types of attachment-traditional, active, and place relative-and characterize these emerging latent profiles in terms of place identity motives, socio-demographics, and how they are expressed differently among natives and migrants. Six hundred and forty-four participants' survey answers were collected in two densely migrant-populated urban case studies in Belgium and Portugal. The results reveal four distinct attachment profiles: non-traditional, active non-relative, active relative, and traditional-active. The first three were found to be more prominent among recently arrived international migrants, while internal migrants are present in all profiles, and natives in the traditional-active profile. With regard to place identity motives: Distinctiveness, continuity, and belonging needs were less fulfilled for migrants, while self-efficacy was similar among groups. These findings help us understand how migrants bond with their new place and how people's attachment profiles can be nuanced in terms of their type of attachment and acceptance of change in their place.

Lowland rivers with minimal topographic demarcation present significant challenges for geomorphological mapping. This study developed a detailed 1:50,000 geomorphological map of the Lys Valley (Belgium) by generating a relative elevation topographic surface from a high-resolution LiDAR-based 1-m Digital Elevation Model (DEM). This surface visualises topography as elevation relative to the local river level, revealing subtle landforms that are otherwise difficult to detect. Combined with thematic datasets and targeted field validation, the method identifies four geomorphological sections, characterised by features such as natural levees, point bars, flood basins, paleo-channels, oxbow lakes, and aeolian dunes. By moving beyond traditional reliance on soil maps, this integrated approach offers a more accurate basis for flood risk assessment, river restoration, and geoarchaeological research. As the Lys River is a restoration priority under the Seine-Scheldt waterway project, the map provides a high-resolution resource for planning and stakeholder engagement.Key policy highlights Utilising a relative elevation topographic surface enables accurate large-scale mapping of lowland environments (here the Lys Valley in Belgium), supporting environmental management; of floodplains in particularThe map holds broader significance for studying human-environmental histories over longer time periods

The landscapes in Belgium are exceptional diverse due to the important variation of the physical and natural conditions as well as to the long multicultural and tormented history. Belgium became gradually a federal state which made it difficult to get overall views on matters that became by regional governance such as spatial planning and heritage and landscape management. Since 1980 policies are diverging between the different regions and different concepts and approaches are used for landscape management and planning. This becomes obvious looking at the implementation of the European Landscape Convention in the three regions, in particular with the identification of landscapes. Although data sources covering the whole of Belgium have become rare, an interregional synthesis and landscape characterization for the whole of the country is presented.

Concern for individual perception is essential to enhance greenspace management. Various landscape elements are key factors affecting visitors’ perception engaging in greenspaces. Targeting Belgian public greenspaces, we develop a comprehensive approach to quantify visitors’ perceptions from multiple dimensions. Applying user-generated data and unsupervised machine learning approach, we identified the landscape elements and classified the greenspaces to extract perception rates and detect dominant elements. The satisfaction of every landscape element was then analyzed by the natural language process approach and standardized major axis regression to discover their contributions to overall satisfaction. Furthermore, we calculated and visualized the positive and negative interactions between elements through network analysis. Integrating the perception rates and contributions, inconsistency was observed between the dominant element and the most contributing element. The perception rate of the human element was in an overwhelmingly dominant position, with 2.46. Despite the variations among the 5 greenspace groups, multiple natural elements highly contributed to overall satisfaction, especially animal and vegetation, which achieved contributions higher than 1.2 in most of the groups. Regarding the interactions, stronger negative interactions appeared generally, reaching up to 0.496. The coexistence of natural and artificial elements has a stronger collective effect on greenspace perception, regardless of positive or negative interaction. By providing an understanding of the landscape elements, our findings can assist greenspace planners in identifying key factors of different greenspace categories from various perspectives and support explicit and effective greenspace management.

This research focuses on exploring the intergroup relationship between migrants and natives through their use of public spaces. To comprehend these intergroup dynamics in a place, two case studies were analysed: an urban context in Belgium and Portugal. Through a systematic observation method, behavioural maps were collected to comprehend the distribution of natives and migrants in those areas, at different times of the day and their types of behaviours. Results showed that in the Belgian urban area, there is a sharing of the public space but with different behaviours, while in Portugal, we found a distribution of apparently migrant groups in space. In sum, the systematic observation of people in the public space provides a first assessment of the intergroup relations between migrants and natives in the urban context. It presents evidence to plan and design public space, promote social cohesion and comprehend what elements are relevant to maintain and adjust these groups' place identity. Esta investigaci & oacute;n se centra en explorar la relaci & oacute;n intergrupal entre inmigrantes y nativos a trav & eacute;s de su uso de los espacios p & uacute;blicos. Para comprender estas din & aacute;micas intergrupales en un lugar, se analizaron dos estudios de caso: un contexto urbano en B & eacute;lgica y Portugal. Mediante un m & eacute;todo de observaci & oacute;n sistem & aacute;tica, se recogieron mapas de comportamiento para comprender la distribuci & oacute;n de nativos e inmigrantes en esas zonas, en diferentes momentos del d & iacute;a, y los tipos de comportamiento de unos y otros. Los resultados mostraron que en el & aacute;rea urbana belga se comparte el espacio p & uacute;blico pero con comportamientos diferentes, mientras que en Portugal encontramos una distribuci & oacute;n de grupos aparentemente inmigrantes en el espacio. En resumen, la observaci & oacute;n sistem & aacute;tica de personas en el espacio p & uacute;blico proporciona una primera evaluaci & oacute;n de las relaciones intergrupales entre inmigrantes y nativos en el contexto urbano. Aporta pruebas para planificar y dise & ntilde;ar el espacio p & uacute;blico, promover la cohesi & oacute;n social y comprender qu & eacute; elementos son relevantes para mantener y ajustar la identidad de lugar de estos grupos.

The landscape, as a comprehensive entity encompassing diverse ecosystems, cultural values, aesthetic qualities, and geological features, is integral to the concept of natural heritage. Climate change poses a substantial threat to landscapes. The impacts are multifaceted, affecting not only the ecological integrity of these areas but also their cultural significance and the livelihoods of people who depend on them. Efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects are crucial to preserving valuable landscapes for future generations.TOPIO project aims to contribute to addressing these issues by developing a holistic methodology where Citizen Science, Policy Outreach, Artificial Intelligence and Public Participatory GIS approaches, with the aid of Earth Observation, Digital Twins and Geoinformatics, will find common ground in order to involve both scientists and citizens in a “bottom-up” participatory and creative initiative for the implementation of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) in different areas of Europe. In this framework, TOPIO will prepare a landscape guide inspired by the ELC, initially focused on seven study areas across Europe. The identified topics will address urgent issues impacting the evolution of landscapes, focusing, among others, on climate change mitigation and adaptation.A Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) covering the study areas will also be conducted based on public participation. The aim is to increase citizen awareness of landscape policies and involve society in safeguarding landscape heritage from the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the LCA can serve as a tool for local and regional authorities to assess and manage climate-related risks.

Context Models of human agency within research on land systems and landscapes do not fully account for social and cultural factors in decision making. Conversely, within social theory, parallel concepts of agency do not fully take biophysical and spatial factors into account. This calls for a synthesis of conceptual models addressing human decision making in land systems. Objectives The review identifies parallels between social and ecological perspectives on humans as co-constituent parts of complex land systems. On this basis selected models of agency combining insights from social theory and land systems research are outlined and compared, and improved concepts are outlined. Methods Elements of agency in modern agricultural land systems are reviewed. A case study illustrating the application of agency concepts in an analysis of decision making among farmers on the Canterbury Plains (New Zealand) is presented. On this basis it is discussed how to improve understandings of human agency in land systems. Results The review identifies and compares parallel conceptions of agency, practice and holism in landscape ecology and social theory. Taking the agency of farmers in contemporary agricultural landscapes as an example, theories currently used to characterise and interpret the agency of farmers are discussed and improvements considered. Potentials for improvement of current conceptual models are indicated and discussed, and an improved model of agency is suggested. Conclusions Based on the review, the article presents an improved conceptual model of agency in land systems emphasizing the position of agents in social-ecological contexts of action.

Following the recommendations of the European Landscape Convention for the establishment of landscape observatories (LO), there has been a plethora of governance models put in place. This article reports on the governance challenges of the local LO of Charneca (Portugal) arising from its bottom-up approach in a peripheral and low-density territory. The objective of this paper is to analyze the stakeholders in the Charneca landscape and its landscape observatory. Methodologically, a social network analysis is used to identify the position of actors in the network and the density of relations. The results disclose the position of the LO within the network, notably its close relationship to the estate where it is located and to the local administration, leading to the conclusion that including other actors and local governments to go beyond the borders of the Chamusca municipality in which the observatory is located is pivotal to enabling action at a landscape scale.

Context Landscape ecology is endowed with a wealth of accumulated insights into how spatial, ecological and social research can be fruitfully combined and synthesised. This has the potential to contribute significantly to how cultural landscapes are observed, analysed, conceptualised and explained. Objectives This article provides an overview of theories in landscape ecology relevant to the study of cultural landscapes. Based on a review of selected contributions formulated since the field's first inception, it is outlined how theory was developed within the field and how proven methods of theory generation can inspire further development. Methods A systematic review covering historical and contemporary theoretical contributions to landscape ecology was conducted. Theories were analysed to uncover by what methods they were formulated. On this basis, an overview of theories in landscape ecology relevant to the study of cultural landscapes was developed. Results A total of 32 theories were included in the review and described. Four pathways of theory development characteristic for the way knowledge is accumulated in landscape ecology were identified. These pathways exhibit modes of knowledge transfer between observations and actions taking place in concrete empirical contexts, knowledge which is transferable across contexts, as well as generally applicable concepts. An annotated overview of primary and secondary sources is provided. Contemporary literature building on the theories was identified, linking sources of conceptual inspiration to the current state of the art. Conclusions The review illustrates that a wealth of complementary theories exists in the field, creating a condition of theoretical multiplicity. Key theories and tendencies for theory development are outlined, and it is discussed how theoretical advancement in the study of cultural landscapes may be improved.

As urban green spaces, parks can provide rich cultural ecosystem services (CES), enhancing the well-being of those living in urban areas. Understanding how people perceive the CES supplied by parks and identifying differences with their supply is crucial for decision-makers and urban planners. In this study, we conducted a quantitative assessment of CES by combining an expert field investigation of parks with visitor questionnaires in the Three Hills and Five Gardens area of Beijing, China. Our assessment system comprised five categories of CES (landscape aesthetics, historical heritages, education, recreation, health and fitness) and eleven indicators. We identified differences between CES supply and perceptions and noted that such discrepancies additionally vary by CES type. We found that multiple CES are interdependent and interwoven. In addition, we discovered that perceptions of historical heritages service are particularly dependent on supply, while perceptions of health and fitness service are relatively independent of the supply. We explored the reasons behind these differences, finding that the visibility and prestige of historical heritages as well as the positioning and the overall condition of parks can affect visitors' perceptions. Our assessment can be used to guide the optimization of parks so that they may provide higher-quality CES for the public.

Integrated research using aerial photography, proximal soil sensing, historical research and excavations of an unusual First World War site in Flanders (Belgium) is presented. Aerial photography revealed a grid of 5x6 huts unusually close to the front line. Geophysical research indicates good preservation of these structures. A targeted excavation was carried out. The results give insight into the structure of a military camp built in autumn 1917, used until the German offensive of April 1918. Research on excavated objects and historical sources revealed the camp was as the winter quarters for British and Australian pioneers. The unusual location and the fact that the pioneers occupied the camp themselves means that the huts found were not standard and dug in to provide extra protection. This research shows that barracks camps can be well preserved in the soil archives and have the potential to uncover stories from everyday life behind the front.

The Northern Apennines are characterized by a long history of local land management, adapted to limited environmental conditions without causing ecological degradation. These agro-silvo-pastoral land use systems resulted in land covers such as meadows, chestnuts, vineyards and woodland interspersed with mercantile trails. Since 1950s, its local actors started emigrating the Apennine valleys causing an abandonment and marginalization of the land and an extensification of the landscape. The research is focusing on two cases in the valley ‘Val Borbera’ (NE of Italy). For both cases, an historical analytical approach was executed based on the combination of interdisciplinary sources like historical maps, land register maps, aerial photographs, topographic maps and field survey. Through the regressive cartographic analysis, the landscape changes and dynamics since the 19th century and the relationships between the land cover and land use are being mapped. These insights can benefit to a better understanding of the spatial character of the cultural rural mountain landscape.

Abstract Even though flooding is a threat to rural communities in plains drained by ephemeral rivers, the magnitude of its impact, coping/prevention mechanisms, and the implications for river management are not well known. In this study, data were collected using a phenomenological‐based research design. Field observations, a questionnaire (n = 440), key informant interviews (10), and one focus group discussion (with seven discussants) were used to collect the desired data from flood‐prone farmers. As the results show, 42% of the respondents believe that flooding has become stronger over the past 20 years, whereas 38% believe there has been no change. As mitigation measures, 52% of the respondents suggested evacuating to neighbouring villages as the best option. Most of the damage was experienced in farmlands (including crops, either harvested or standing) and settlements. As coping mechanisms, 31% of the respondents were displaced, whereas an additional 40% were forced to construct new houses for their settlement. Chi‐square testing showed that the farmers’ responses statistically varied among different groups (p < .001). In the meantime, community participation in flood control and catchment management is important. Improving flood management knowledge and the skills of different groups in a community is equally important. In this case, a qualitative inquiry approach was a good option to assess the hydrological conditions of rivers.

Over the last few decades, the need for landscape monitoring and assessment of changes in spatial patterns over time has grown. Landscapes sustain changes of various aspects, such as their structure, in response to continuous modifications in land cover, land management regimes and policy decisions. This study investigates changes in the landscape structure along the Raya graben bottom in northern Ethiopia from 1986 to 2017. Landsat imageries were used to analyse land cover. The spatial structure of the landscape for 3 decades was evaluated using FRAGSTATS. The number of patches increased at the class and landscape levels. At the landscape level, the patches totalled 8,147 in 1986 and increased to 886,893 in 2017. Similarly, the patch density (PD) in 1986 was 3.4 and reached 372.7 in 2017. Therefore, high landscape fragmentation occurred within the study area. The value of the Shannon diversity index is close to 1.1, and the diversity of patch types within the landscape is regular. The Shannon Evenness Index value ranges from 0.6 to 0.7. Moreover, the diversity of patches has shown an increment across the study period. Each land cover reduces in size and proximity. Those changes were caused by population size, infrastructural development and commercial agriculture. Thus, proper land use planning must be practiced to reduce fragmentation and environmental impacts in landscapes that face increasing population pressure and continuous land cover changes.

The objective of the study on which the article is based was to investigate the distribution, characteristics and livelihood effects of debris cones in the Aba’ala and Raya grabens in Ethiopia. The characteristics of the debris cones and their upper catchment areas were obtained from Google Earth Pro and Landsat images. Questionnaires were used to understand the livelihood effects of the debris cones. In addition, transect studies, interviews and observations were used to supplement the data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, a regression model and coupled criteria. The results showed that the debris cones differed in their physical characteristics and distribution, and their volumes were larger in the Raya graben than in the Aba’ala graben. The average flow lengths of the upper catchments was the major predictor of debris cone volume. The expansion of debris cones devastated farmlands, resulting in crop yield loss. Moreover, deposited debris damaged dwellings and pasture, and led to smallholder farmers’ displacement. However, the cones remained attractive for settlement and spate irrigation. The authors conclude that despite the benefits of debris cones, catchment rehabilitation measures should be implemented in the upper catchments to reduce the expansion of debris cones in the studied grabens.

For the medieval County of Flanders, research by Adriaan Verhulst has indicated the importance of planted row settlements for intensified systematic landscape reclamations. Despite his influential studies and a long research history, little is known about the spatial distribution of this settlement morphology and its relation to the physical landscape in the former county. Moreover, the highly build up character of modern-day Flanders makes it difficult to discern remnants of the medieval settlement systems in the landscapes today. In this study, a multidisciplinary integration of historical and geographical data in GIS allows a first determination of the geographical and temporal distribution of these row settlements at the landscape level. Following the mapping and dating of the pre-industrial row settlements, a spatial analysis allows to study its distribution pattern through time in relation to the main soil textures in the county.