The landscape profile method as a new tool for sustainable urban planning

Work on landscape diversification resulting from the European Landscape Convention obliges European countries to identify and assess the state of their landscapes. The aim of this article is to test a new method of landscape profiling, enabling measurement of the extent of anthropogenic transformation of a landscape and indication of zones of landscape disturbance. The method is based on an interdisciplinary analysis of various aspects of the landscape, consisting of an assessment of the degree of overlap between natural and non-natural boundaries. Three types of relationships were identified: landscape convergence (LC), landscape divergence (LD), and zone of landscape disturbance (ZLD). This analysis makes it easier for urban planners to change their existing land development plans. The method can be used universally to detect inappropriate land development, which is important in diagnosing the condition of landscapes and can be used in the spatial planning of cities and suburban zones.