Landscape character of Mladenovac: Value preservation by applying connectivity principle

Modern conceptualization of landscape resulted from a different perception of space: abandonment of reductionism and transition to holism. Landscape character is the result of holistic interpretation of landscape value on which its development and protection are planned. This modern research approach gained its legitimacy in the European Landscape Convention. Landscape character, namely its pattern, integrates the following: natural and cultural elements, scientific with practical knowledge and interests of users who live in certain area and know the tradition of using and designing of its landscape. Taking into account that holistic landscape conceptualization in planning is not sufficiently widespread in our region, the first section of the paper presents: landscape character as the planning value and the possibility of its protection and improvement by applying the connectivity principle (establishment of green infrastructure and cultural routes). Although spatial planning in Serbia considers this approach more in theoretical than in practical manner, landscape character got its place in the Spatial Plan of the Republic of Serbia 2020: the concept of landscape development is based on preservation and improvement of previously determined landscape character. The second section of the paper presents the results of applying the landscape characterization method (identification of different character on the basis of which various landscape types are distinguished) in the Municipality of Mladenovac by using the GIS technology. The final part presented proposed measures for improvement and preservation of landscape character: green infrastructure and cultural route 'Paths of the Despot Stefan Lazarević'