Skagafjörður Lowland : Landscape Character Assessment around the stable area in Sauðárkrókur Iceland, with focus on land use and planning

Abstract: Land is limited resource and therefore land has become more valuable than ever. Land use is changing, cities are growing bigger and that demands more land for urbanisation. Increased understanding of human impact on nature and environment underlines importance of sustainable land use and planning. In that perspective the importance of landscape analysis and understanding of interaction of nature factors and human activities becomes more and more significant. The aim of the project is to clarify the situation of the stable area and its surroundings with special focus on formation, vegetation diverse, current and past land use. This is done to strengthen judgements regarding future land use and possible sustainable development of the area. The assessed area is spectacular in many ways it's wetland and has been mostly recognised for rich bird life and is partly a nature reserve area. Stakeholders interested in future management and development of the area are the Municipality, the Riding Club and nature based activities. It is important to give all stakeholders a formal opportunity to express their opinions and they where involved in all phases of the procedure of the analysis and judgements. Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) was based on methodology described in the Scottish LCA. The key principles of the LCA approach is that the emphasis is placed on landscape character and the division between the process of characterisation and the making of judgements to inform decisions. The roles of both objective and subjective approach is recognised in the progress and the potential for application at different scales. Judgements are based on the results of the characterisation process. The conclusion from this character analysis was the platform for preparation of proposals about planning, land use and design of the surrounding. Notice has been taken of the ideas from stakeholders and those who has interest in the future use of the area.