Relating Knowledge and Perception of Sustainable Landscape Practices to the Adoption Intention of Environmentally Friendly Landscapes

The influence of traditional residential landscapes on humans and the environment has provoked a discussion on maintaining landscapes in a sustainable way and conserving water resources. Traditional American landscapes require water-intensive management. Previous research has discussed potential negative impacts on the environment from prevalent improper landscaping maintenance techniques. To mitigate long-term consequences, sustainable landscape management programs aim at protecting the environment from harmful inputs and conserving water. Among alternative practices, converting fully turfgrass lawns to sustainable landscapes is recommended. The Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFLTM) initiative is one such program designed to minimize negative impacts while maintaining and improving landscapes’ aesthetic characteristics. Although technological advancements in lawn care services have rapidly developed in the past few decades (e.g., smart irrigation systems), the level of homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions regarding sustainable practices are still at the forefront of potential factors that influence the widespread adoption of sustainable lawn management. Relatively few studies have investigated how homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes affect adoption decisions. This study adapted Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior as a framework to examine how individuals’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes influence their adoption intention, and to predict their pro-environmental behavior. We found that homeowners’ knowledge about lawns and landscapes (more knowledgeable) is positively correlated with their sustainable landscape adoption intention. Additionally, homeowners’ perceptions of landscape conservation practices (more agreeable with sustainable landscape practices) are positively correlated with sustainable landscape adoption intentions. The implications for policymakers and water conservation programs are discussed.

Assessing levels, trade-offs and synergies of landscape services in the Iranian province of Qazvin: towards sustainable landscapes

Context Evidence-based knowledge is crucial for place-based knowledge production and learning towards sustainable landscapes through stewardship and integrated spatial planning. Objectives We focus on the landscape service concept as a tool, and three fundamental challenges for its use: (1) how to monitor benefits provided by different landscapes; (2) to demonstrate trade-offs and synergies among benefits in a landscape; and (3) to discuss how to incorporate results from analyses into landscape stewardship and planning. Methods As a case study we chose the Iranian Qazvin province with diverse natural and anthropogenic landscapes, and top-down societal steering. Five landscape services (water yield, water regulation, pollination, actual net primary production (NPPact) and social-cultural connectivity) were assessed and compared. Results All landscape services were significantly correlated. Major trade-offs and synergies among services were between NPPact and water yield and regulation. Trade-off and synergy clusters showed that landscape functions depend on both natural and anthropogenic landscape patterns and processes. Conclusions Providing transparent data about trade-offs and synergies among landscape services can facilitate learning about which services are important among landscapes. For each of six settings we suggest action plans. We discuss the role of Iranian landscape stewardship and planning, and integrative research needs.

Sustainable Landscapes in the Traditional Korean Residential Environment: Focus on the Joseon Dynasty

This study examines the sustainable landscapes displayed in traditional Korean houses of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) by investigating urban agricultural practices implemented in the palace, private houses, and an imaginary garden (Uiwon). Currently popular productive gardening applications, such as urban agriculture, productive landscapes, and edible landscapes, also formed the backbone of the traditional Korean housing environment in the Joseon Dynasty, which has had substantial implications for today’s landscaping practices. Landscapes that are productive rather than decorative are important for environmentally sound and sustainable development not only for South Korea but also for modern housing design worldwide. This research provides concrete discussions of the definition and range of urban agriculture, agricultural methods, and principal agents of gardening-related businesses. This information advances the cultural conversation as well as the understanding and application of gardening in the modern context. Through a comparison of traditional and modern South Korean housing environments, this study contributes to developing the research on the role of gardens in sustainable landscapes.

Sustainable Landscape Criteria in Design Concept of Taman Merah Kampung Pelangi, Malang City

Taman Merah is one of the thematic parks planned by the residents of Kampung Pelangi to provide a forum for activities and meet the needs of green open space for the environment by utilizing the empty land in Kampung Pelangi environment. This activity is a service program communities that aims to help residents plan and design the Red Park according to their needs. The method that used is the landscape architecture design method with a sustainable landscape approach, starting from site surveys, identifying people's needs and activities, studying literature related to sustainable landscape criteria to be applied to the Taman Merah design concept, compiling programming and design concepts. The results of the study obtained are the criteria for sustainable landscapes that are applied in the design concept including environmental, economic, socio-cultural, aesthetic, and institutional aspects. The five criteria were identified to be used as the basis for the Taman Merah design concept. The sustainability of these five aspects aims to improve the quality of the environment, improve the residents' economy, a forum for the actualization of socio-cultural activities, provide interesting place experiences, and foster collaboration between residents and community groups in Kampung Pelangi RW 9 Joyogrand Housing, Merjosari Village, Malang City.

Participatory Use of a Tool to Assess Governance for Sustainable Landscapes

Sustainable management of resources is crucial for balancing competing livelihood, economic, and environmental goals. Since forests and other systems do not exist in isolation, comprehensive jurisdictional approaches to forest, and land-use governance can help promote sustainability. The ability of jurisdictions to provide evidence of progress toward sustainability is essential for attracting public and private sector investments and maintaining local stakeholder involvement. The Sustainable Landscapes Rating Tool (SLRT) provides a way to assess enabling conditions for jurisdictional sustainability through an evidence-based rating system. We applied this rating tool in 19 states and provinces across six countries (Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Cote d'Ivoire, Mexico, Peru) that are members of the Governors' Climate and Forests Task Force (GCF TF). Each SLRT assessment was completed using publicly available information, interviews with stakeholders in the jurisdiction, and a multi-stakeholder workshop to validate the indicator ratings. This paper explores the effects of stakeholder involvement in the validation process, along with stakeholder perceptions of the tool's usefulness. Our analysis shows that the validation workshops often led to modifications of the indicator ratings, even for indicators originally assessed using publicly available data, highlighting the gap between existence of a policy and its implementation. Also, a more diverse composition of stakeholders at the workshops led to more changes in indicator ratings, which indicates the importance of including different perspectives in compiling and validating the assessments. Overall, most participants agreed that the tool is useful for self-assessment of the jurisdiction and to address coordination gaps. Further, the validation workshops provided a space for discussions across government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), producer organizations, indigenous peoples and local community representatives, and researchers about improving policy and governance conditions. Our findings from the analysis of a participatory approach to collecting and validating data can be used to inform future research on environmental governance and sustainability.

Deli Tobacco as a Cultural Heritage

Deli tobacco plantation is the first plantation in Tanah Deli. The history of plantations in East Sumatra began with the success of Jacobus Nienhuys planting Deli tobacco in Tanah Deli. Since World War II in 1945, Deli tobacco production has begun to decline. Such a condition has affected the area of Deli tobacco plantations. Since Deli tobacco is an ever triumphed characteristic and pioneer at the international level, tobacco plantations in East Sumatra should be protected and maintained as a cultural heritage. Problems are formulated into how social factors influence the decline of tobacco products and how to protect the landscape of Deli tobacco plantations. This study employed normative juridical research using descriptive analysis. The findings show that the factors influencing the decline production of tobacco among others are decreasing land fertility and difficulty of obtaining a new estate, the global economic depression, the nationalization and the occurrence of social revolutions leading to land grabbing by the community. Deli tobacco is classified as a cultural heritage, a legacy, and a historical landmark of Tanah Deli. Protection of Deli tobacco landscape according to Law No. 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Heritage states that its existence needs to be preserved due to its important value for history, education, and culture. Conclusion Sustainable landscapes help fulfill the principles of sustainable development as laid out in development goals. The suggestion of the results of this study is that Deli tobacco must be protected and maintained as an agrotourism landscape.

Agriculture and sustainable landscapes: agricultural diversification in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

A produção de alimentos é importante para garantir a segurança alimentar, e os diferentes modos de produção podem gerar diferentes impactos ambientais. A diversificação agrícola é considerada uma das formas de promover a sustentabilidade, tanto em termos ecológicos quanto socioeconômicos. Para compreender a dinâmica da agricultura em Minas Gerais este trabalho utiliza um indicador para caracterizar os sistemas de produção agrícola e avaliar a diversidade produtiva dos 853 municípios do estado. A maior parte dos municípios (62%) apresentou uma diversidade alta ou muito alta, sendo esta diversidade associada principalmente ao contexto da agricultura familiar. No entanto, a contribuição destes sistemas agrícolas diversificados para a economia dos municípios é relativamente baixa, mostrando que a sustentabilidade econômica de sistemas diversificados ainda é um desafio. É importante que, além do interesse do produtor, exista uma política pública de desenvolvimento rural capaz de viabilizar sistemas de produção agrícola alinhados com padrões de sustentabilidade ambiental.