Elaboration of a method of valuation of landscape components for land consolidation purposes

Aim of project
The project aims to elaborate the methodology of valuation of landscape components for land consolidation purposes. It will outline guidelines of taking into consideration the value of landscape components in the process of land consolidation in terms of using this procedure for landscape formation of rural areas. In the classic consolidation-exchange procedure, there is a unified valuation scale — production scale. Thus, the classic system of comparative valuation does not encompass substantial landscape elements. It is believed that there is a need to create a new system which would also take the following elements into consideration: natural, aesthetic, historical, social, cultural, etc. The scientific aim of the project will be to present the above scope of research in the perspective of experience of other European Union countries and to present some methodical guidelines for market valuation of landscape components of rural areas in the consolidation-exchange procedure in Poland. A tangible result of the project will be the elaboration of guidelines for ”landscape value study” and for ”landscape value maps”, prepared on the basis of the research, which, as the authors predict, can be used in the procedure of evaluation of the influence of the consolidation process on the environment, conducted according to the legal regulations as adapted to EU legislation. The elaborated methodical guidelines will be tested on an experimental object — a chosen geodetic area. There will be a scheme of using Geographic Information Systems technology for analyses connected with the project.

Expected results
The project will elaborate the methodology of valuation of landscape components, which takes into account their individual and often unique character and specific protection which limits development possibilities of the terrain or object qualified as such. After preliminary research of the subject, the authors claim that values of landscape components, values of limited material and obligation rights connected with ”using” the landscape should become market values as well.

The elaboration of guidelines connected with valuation of landscape components and its later use in the area consolidation procedure will allow to manage landscape resources of rural areas in a rational way. The suggested use of Geographic Information Systems technology for spatial analyses connected with the elaboration of ”landscape value study” and ”landscape value maps” for the consolidation area will enable to use the elaborated methodological guidelines in procedures connected with obtaining EU funds for the development of rural areas.