Processes and driving forces in changing cultural landscapes across Europe

Cultural landscapes genuinely evolve over time. However, the rate and direction of change might not be in line with societal needs and more information on the forces driving these changes are therefore needed.
We present a comparative study of landscape changes and their driving forces based in six regions across Europe conducted using a consistent methodology and common data collection and analyses protocols.
Using historical and contemporary maps from the 19th and 20th century, we conducted a LULC analysis based on a consistent mapping legend. Land cover and landscape changes were analysed regarding change, conversions and processes. Secondary literature on the historical development within the study regions was complemented with a series of oral history interviews about the perceived landscape changes and the remembered driving forces. For all case study areas, narratives on mapped land cover change, perceived landscape changes and driving forces were compiled.
The results show that despite a very high diversity in extent, direction and rates of change, a few dominant processes and widespread factors driving the changes found are determined, i.e. access and infrastructure, political shifts, labor market, technological innovations, and for the more recent period climate change.
Our approach fills the gap between single case studies and meta-analyses. We consider that grasping peoples’ perception supplements the analyses of mapped land use and land cover changes and allows to address perceived landscape changes. The list of driving forces determined to be most relevant shows clear limits in predictability: Whereas changes triggered by infrastructural developments might be comparatively easy to model, political developments cannot be foreseen, but might nevertheless leave major marks in the landscape.