ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we propose a framework for the economic valuation of multi-functional landscapes with their inherent multiple perceptions and preferences. It is an attempt to integrate the diverse approaches in landscape science with new emerging trends of economic valuation of landscape. The first sections of this chapter review basic and new concepts and paradigms in landscape research which are also significant in landscape planning and policy. The European Landscape Convention (Council of Europe 2000) is used as a framework for this discussion. Many disciplines are involved and there are multiple approaches to landscape. Consequently, landscape research and its applications are very diverse. Paradigms, definitions, concepts and methods need to be compared and linked to achieve the necessary integration. This demands an inter- and transdisciplinary approach. From this review, possible bridges to the economic valuation of landscape are presented, and illustrated with an example in the last section.
