Perception of landscape change : Artas Valley / Palestine

Abstract

Investigation of the perception of landscape change due to diverse political, social and economic factors is of importance for planning and preserving valuable landscapes. The objective of this paper is to investigate public perception and response of landscape change, and to investigate the impact of this change on landscape quality. To achieve the objective of the study, Artas Valley, south of Bethlehem, was chosen as a study area. A qualitative humanistic approach methodology was used, applying interviews with local people of the Artas Valley as well as professionals. Open questions were asked to interviewees. The sample was chosen according to snowballing techniques, and content analysis was carried out. The results revealed that the perception of change was influenced by political, social, and economic conditions, as well as individuals’ familiarity and proximity to the place in question. The results also revealed that the general perception of interviewees is that there are considerable landscape changes in the magnitude of landscape elements and the quality of the landscape toward the worse. These perceptions varied according to the different elements of the landscape as well as the different concept that were used for quality measures, according to the interviewees. The results also showed that children have different responses to change than those of the adults. It is recommended further landscape education in the Palestinian curriculum to increase awareness. In addition regulations and legislations are important to be established for better preservation of Palestinians landscape and catering future development, and to involve people in the process of landscape planning