Transformation of landscape

The project was carried out as part of the target research program “Slovenia’s Competitiveness, 2006–2013.” Its premises were based on the finding that the actual state of spatial relationships (i.e., relationships between individual spatial elements created) tends to worsen because of overly general program and spatial acts and thus poorer applicability, insufficiently accurate transfer from the project to the implementation level, and, last but not least, the absence of effective control over the implementation of spatial regulations. We studied the spatial changes and transformations that develop in landscapes due to settlement changes and agricultural modernization. Landscape effects resulting from agricultural modernization were studied on sample farms and settlements selected in the Gorizia Hills, the Lower Savinja Valley, and the Suha Krajina region – that is, regions that were selected as sample agriculture diversification areas in Slovenia following thorough consideration. Development models and scenarios of anticipated changes in the settlement system were developed in addition to proposals for concrete changes and general spatial development guidelines, and instruments for directing spatial development. In 2008, the final report was also prepared, which serves as the basis for the planned scholarly monograph.