Protection of the Natural Landscape of a Village, and Protection of the Place-Making Index in the Development Process

Abstract

Natural landscape refers to the human perception of nature. Rural landscape, as a type of natural landscape, reflects the most natural and meaningful way of human habitation throughout history. It is a perfect example of humans valuing the natural landscape and the mutual influence of these two landscapes is undeniable. This article attempts to examine the contribution of protecting the natural landscape of the village as a place-making factor in the process of rural development. This research is critical qualitative drawing upon a critical examination of literature in light of its theoretical foundation. The impact of the development process on the natural landscape of the villages was investigated through field observations in three villages of Kuhdasht city, including Payastan, Sorkhdom Leki, Abu al-Wafa, and the city of Darbgonbad. The results of the investigations showed that due to the lack of attention to place and place-making indicators in development plans, the natural landscape and its place-making role have faced transformation and the cultural role of natural elements in various fields such as housing and communications have been overlooked, and resulted in unplanned interventions irrespective of the natural environment, upset the tripartite combination of the landscape. In this article, an attempt has been made to examine the pathology of the situation caused by the lack of protection of the natural landscape as a place-making component in the development process of the mentioned villages.

Keywords

• development
• place
• protection
• village landscape
• natural landscape