An Integrated Method for Landscape Assessment: Application to Santiago de Cuba Bay, Cuba

Seweryn Zielinski, Celene B. Milanés, Elena Cambon, Ofelia Perez Montero, Lourdes Rizo, Andres Suarez, Benjamin Cuker and Giorgio Anfuso
Additional contact information
Seweryn Zielinski: Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea
Celene B. Milanés: GeMarc and GESSA Research Groups, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58#55-66, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia
Elena Cambon: Faculty of Buidings, Universidad de Oriente, Las Américas Avenue s/n, Santiago de Cuba CP 90400, Cuba
Ofelia Perez Montero: Multidisciplinary Study Center of Coastal Zone, Universidad de Oriente, Las Américas Avenue s/n, Santiago de Cuba CP 90400, Cuba
Lourdes Rizo: Faculty of Buidings, Universidad de Oriente, Las Américas Avenue s/n, Santiago de Cuba CP 90400, Cuba
Andres Suarez: GeMarc and GESSA Research Groups, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58#55-66, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia
Benjamin Cuker: Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 23668, USA
Giorgio Anfuso: Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-30

Abstract: Human activities often drive landscape degradation and the associated loss of value. This paper describes a method that, by integrating multiple factors, characterize landscape value to establish relevant and effective management practices. The new integrated method for landscape assessment (IMLA) is a four-step model that includes: (i) establishment of a general theoretical basis for sustainability relevant metrics; (ii) characterization of the landscape; (iii) landscape valuation; (iv) recommendations for landscape value management. Each step includes different interactive components of analysis. The new IMLA considers the potential range of values associated with each landscape unit and facilitates sustainable landscape management. The method is systematic and includes both inductive and deductive reasoning. Its articulation is represented in the conjunction and overlapping of all factors and variables considered. IMLA was tested in Santiago de Cuba Bay (Cuba) and used to determine five landscape scopes, eight first-order landscape units and 29 s-order units. It proved to be a useful tool to establish landscape values and sound management strategies. Application of IMLA in Cuba will help local authorities institute land-use plans and to establish decision-making processes that include valuation of cultural landscapes.

Keywords: landscape units; characterization value management; sustainability; scenarios; coastal zone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4773-:d:542571

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