Landscape planning: A comparative study of landscape planning in the United States and Germany

Abstract

This thesis compares the landscape planning goals and procedures of Pima County and Landkreis Hannover as they enter regional planworks. The literature provides three significant approaches to landscape planning, from which are extracted significant valuation criteria including biophysical and sociocultural landscape characteristics as well as data handling and implementation considerations. Landkreis Hannover employs a landscape and a comprehensive planwork, the latter coordinating the missions of all spatial disciplines and the first representing a conservation component. Pima County develops a comprehensive plan based on pro-growth policy which attempts primary issue integration. Both counties demonstrate strengths and weaknesses uncovered by assessment of the valuation criteria. Learning from each other, Hannover can improve in data handling whereas Pima County can improve in organizational cooperation and promotion of the concept of sustainable development.