Swiss Landscape Under Ongoing Deterioration

(admin.ch - The portal of the Swiss government, June 01, 2017)

The Swiss Government's environment agencies monitor landscape changes and the population's perception of it. The Landscape Monitoring Switzerland (LABES) program's latest report states that the landscape remains under substantial pressure. The observed 34 indicators show an ongoing deterioration, although having slowed down, of the Swiss landscape and only occasional improvements – such as in the revitalization of rivers and streams – could be found. Furthermore, LABES assesses the population's perception of the landscape. Generally, the people like the communes in which they live, with people residing in areas with a high share of protected landscape evaluating the landscape as being more beautiful and authentic than its suburban or urban counterparts. Especially the Central Plateau is affected by urbanization. The growth rate in built-up area there is twice as high as the national average. The report sees actors on the communal, cantonal and federal level in charge of strengthening the commitment to protect or even enhance landscape quality.