Planning Tools for the Protection of the Natural and Cultural Heritage in the Eastern Mediterranean Area

Rapid changes are happening in the Eastern Mediterranean region under the pressure of urban sprawl, rural abandonment and adoption of different agricultural technics, tourism intensification, and movement of displaced populations between the Mediterranean shores. In view of the risks to cultural and natural heritage, the American University of Beirut (AUB) team at the Landscape department developed a Landscape Risk Assessment Model (RA), and Landscape Decision Support System (LDSS) to take into account the protection of landscapes of particular interest, as well as the rational planning of all the landscapes with special emphasis on the use of natural resources. The paper reports the results of the research conducted during the ENPI EU project MEDSCAPES in developing landscape planning tools for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage in the region. The assessment was applied in the study area of each partner country of the ENPI project, allowing for a better understanding of the implications in land use and conservation decision making.