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built on according to the specifications of the INSPIRE Directive. That way the
various layers of information on the planning framework, the environmental and
landscape characteristics and renewable sources of energy can be comparable.
The SWOT Analysis, currently used in order to implement strategic planning
tools by evaluating the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in-
volved in any decision-making process, has been carried out referring to major
stakes related to the introduction-enhancement of RES within the pilot areas
under different points of view, such as Economy, Society, Territory, Environment.
RES can have positive effects (uses of the area, investment in RES, emissions
reduction, preservation of historical heritage, job creation) and/or negative ef-
fects (using quality agricultural areas, changes in the existing landscape, visual
impact, use of RES materials in historical buildings) on the socio-economic and
cultural assets of territories, and the identification of these effects will help us to
promote/mitigate them.
Recognition of assets and values of landscapes
In order to implement the evaluation of territorial assets and values, each Pilot
Area had undergone an analysis of its intrinsic values. The analysis was based
on a common set of elements, qualyfing cultural landscapes and ecological
landscapes and elaborating maps of the pilot area where the elements are rec-
ognisable and measurable.
Even though all partners could choose the approach which they considered
most appropriate to their contexts, the overriding criterion was to ensure a broad
notion of landscape referring to the “Sense of Place”.
For example, according to the definition given by the Countryside Agency (UK),
the so-called “Characterisation” fulfils these requirements, since
Character is
our attempt to bring together as many aspects of a place as possible, in order to
appreciate and understand it better, and to understand the experience of being
Fig.2
province
of Vercelli,
ecological
landscape
values.
