The project «Controlling in the comprehensive planning process» develops a concept to benchmark the landscape section of the cantonal comprehensive plans («kantonale Richtpläne»). Benchmarking enables an evaluation of the achievements of planning objectives and the effectiveness of comprehensive plans for cantons and municipalities. Indicators of the Landscape Monitoring Switzerland (LABES) are used to assess landscape's recreational qualities and the ecological quality of natural habitats. Landscape units have been derived from the Swiss Landscape Typology and enable comparisons among 13 landscapes types.
In order to assess the landscapes with respect to the outlined landscape qualities, quantifiable references for landscape qualities are needed. Since perception of landscape qualities is subjective and based on cultural codes, a quantification of landscape qualities is challenging. We applied the «ratified value» approach by Cassatella (2011) which proposes to use protected landscapes as a proxy for landscape quality, since the quality of such areas is generally acknowledged.
Based on three landscape quality-classes (protected landscapes as the highest reference; the arithmetic mean; and unprotected landscapes as the lowest reference) we calculated for each indicator the three quantifiable references for each of the 13 landscape types. Each polygon was assessed using the respective reference framework and assigned with one of four categories of condition (++, +. -. --). If the indicator value of a specific polygon is better than the highest reference, i.e. the protected landscapes, the polygon is assigned to the category (++), if it is between the highest reference and the arithmetic mean it is assigned to the category (+). Analogically, if the indicator value is between the arithmetic mean and the lowest reference it is assigned (-), respectively (--) if the value is below the lowest reference.
The results can be displayed. Based on this method, the project visualizes the relationships between various landscape conditions and the associated score of the indicator. The results show how the qualities differ between regions. For the planners, the resulting maps can indicate deficiencies and potentials of landscapes compared with other landscapes of a similar kind. These findings can be addressed accordingly by adopting new planning measures, when updating the comprehensive plans. Furthermore, the results can promote an exchange of best practices between the cantons.