RESEARCH FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
publIc perceptIon about landscapes of WatermIlls and
small-scale HydroelectrIc poWer plants In latvIa
Lilita Lazdāne
Latvia University of Agriculture
e-mail: l.lilita@inbox.lv
abstract
The landscape in Latvia is managed and planned in different levels and regulations. The survey has been undertaken
in Latvia with the aim to assess the landscape as regards the aesthetical quality assessment in Latvian watermills and
small-scale hydroelectric power plant territories by means of public perception. Duration of research was from May
2011 till March 2012. The method used in this survey is the public questionnaire method. Public notions concerning
researched landscapes territories in Latvia reveal that the landscapes in these territories are mainly assessed critically;
however, in the assessment of visual information from pictures taken in particular territories the results are different,
and the value of these territories is mainly assessed positively. The contribution of Latvian people’s knowledge
regarding improvement in the landscapes situations in researched territories of Latvia has to be realized.
Key words: landscape perception, public perception assessment, questionnaires.
Introduction
The process of investigation of landscape is a
complex process. Several surveys have been done in
an attempt to research public perception till now but no
one of them has been able to display the perception of
landscape in watermills and small-scale hydroelectric
power plants (HPP) territories. From ancient
times, watermills are regarded as one of the most
fundamentally required essentials of life. The existing
situation got mightily affected from the beginning of
events in the period of World War II. These processes
progressed until the independence of Latvia in 1991,
when the ownership of private land was reverted to
proprietors. The landscape of watermills, small-scale
HPPs, and imaginary landscape of these territories
have led to building up of established notions in human
minds. These notions could have further influenced
the management of landscape in different levels of the
landscape planning system. But, these notions have
not been researched yet. The several researches that
have been done related to the territories in Latvia stem
out of a mental perception point of view of the Latvian
landscape. Countryside is perceived as an important
aspect of Latvia and a contributor to a sense of identity
for the local population (Bell, 2007), the historical
investigation of watermills in Latvia (Teivens, 1985)
rather literary than scientifically has reflected the
individual perception and daily work by A. Zemdega
(2004).
In the European Landscape Convention, the
landscape is defined ‘area, as perceived by people
(…)’ (European Landscape Convention, 2000), which
means that it is the territory which has to be perceived.
The insight of landscape causes the quality of perceived
information. ‘Landscape protection, management,
and planning hence concern the characteristics of
the landscape that the involved population wishes to
give recognition to in their surroundings’ (Jones and
Stenseke, 2011). The methods of public perception
ReseaRch foR RuRal Development 2012
assessment are supported by position, where is said that
the best data source for landscape quality assessment
is the general public, and that the visual attractiveness
of landscape after all is individual persons focussed
information of summarised experience result in a
landscape (Briggs and France, 1980). Visual landscape
quality is nominated as observer’s individual basis of
perception for all of the landscape, and as often as not
is used in a questionnaire, and verbal surveys (Arthur
et al., 1977). Depending on that, it is necessary
to survey the comprehension and assessment of
landscape in society. The aim of the research was to
collect information by means of public perception
regarding the landscape aesthetic quality assessment
in Latvian watermills and small-scale HPP territories.
The method used is the public questionnaire method.
The results will make it possible and could be used to
make further decisions regarding landscape politics.
materials and methods
The territories of survey are the watermill
territories, which ware marked in a maps of 1920ties,
and the small-scale HPP, marked in a map of MHEA
(Association of small-scale Hydroenergy) plan (Siļķe,
2008). After the theoretical survey data, these territories
are classified by the existing general function of main
building – 1) The main building of watermill is gone;
2) Main building of watermill is abandoned, or is in
ruins; 3) Main building of watermill does exist and is
in use; 4) Newly constructed building with small-scale
HPP function. Several territories showing one type of
buildings were chosen and were inspected. In Latvia
according to the maps of 1920ties there were more
than 450 watermills territories. At present are more
than 150 small-scale HPP, several of which involves
the old watermills with new functions of producing.
Three areas in Latvia are with high density of buildup
territories for watermills – Latgale, Vidzeme, and
Kurzeme uplands areas.
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