Digital Technologies for Monitoring and Managing Natural and Cultural Heritage Landscapes

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Published: jul 28, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/ta.45731
Keywords:
Public Participation GIS & AI; Sustainable Local Development; Natural & Cultural Landscape Planning
Anna Papadima
Geosystems Hellas
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9836-1610
Avgerinos Tegopoulos
Geosystems Hellas S.A.
Betty Charalampopoulou
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6947-5114
Abstract

Cultural landscapes represent complex systems where natural processes, historical land uses, local identity and socio-economic activities interact. Local sustainable development increasingly requires planning approaches that integrate environmental monitoring, cultural heritage values and public participation.  This paper proposes a methodological framework developed in the context of the TOPIO project (GA number 101131109), for supporting the assessment and planning of cultural and natural landscapes through Public Participation Geographic Information Systems, Earth Observation, open geospatial data, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin approaches. The framework combines landscape data inventories, Landscape Character Assessment, participatory mapping of landscape values and pressures, AI-assisted analysis of landscape change, and scenario-based decision support. Particular emphasis is placed on how citizen-generated knowledge and geospatial technologies can support the Landscape character assessment and inform local sustainable development strategies. The paper discusses the application potential of the framework in six pilot landscapes facing pressures from tourism, agriculture, urbanization, renewable energy development and climate-related hazards. The proposed approach demonstrates how cultural heritage can be treated not as an isolated asset, but as an integral component of landscape planning, resilience and local development.

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  • Sustainable Development
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