05 Sustainable Benefits
05 Sustainable Benefits
The benefits of the Fitting Landscapes policy will be the establishment of a clearer, more focused approach to the design, implementation and management of the transport estate. The policy will empower the designer and other professionals in the setting of clear project objectives, addressing the policy aims and supporting decisions made at each of the project stages.
A less procedural, more deterministic approach to carrying out projects will free up and support the landscape designer in taking decisions, making innovations and seizing opportunities without reducing transparency and accountability. In particular the four specific policy aims will address key areas contributing to improvements in sustainability:
- The aim of enhancing and protecting biodiversity will encourage the conservation of and integration with existing resources through good design and innovation in mitigation;
- The aim of ensuring high quality of design and place will promote design engagement, vision and aspiration;
- The aim of using resources wisely will encourage observation and innovation and promote landscape integration, the re-use of materials and the use of natural characteristics to inform design;
- The aim of building in adaptability to future change will justify forward thinking decisions about the land resources and design measures required for resolving the interface between functional requirements of transportation corridors, their surroundings and natural processes.
In summary, this document brings Transport Scotland's landscape policy into line with current Scottish Government policies on sustainability, creating places and the environment.
The policy will empower the designer and other professionals in the setting of clear project objectives
67 Fitting Landscapes aims and objectives apply to all of Scotland's terrestrial transport corridors