Landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors” (Article 1 of the European Landscape Convention (ELC)). The landscape is both a physical reality and the representation that we make of it. It is the face of a land with all its natural and anthropogenic elements and, at the same time, the feelings and emotions that it arouses in us when we see it. It is also a social product, a cultural projection of society on an area determined from the material, spiritual, ideological and symbolic dimensions. The right, as well as the duty, of protecting and maintaining the integrity of landscapes is a social responsibility and a commitment to transmit our heritage to future generations by keeping sustainable development2. The ELC (also known as the Florence Convention, 20/10/2000 came into force on 01/03/2004, Council of Europe Treaty Series no. 176) indicates that assessment of different dimensions in landscapes should be taken into account. The ELC aims to encourage public authorities to adopt policies and measures at local, regional, national and international level for protecting, managing and planning landscapes throughout Europe. It covers all outstanding, ordinary, or even degraded landscapes that determine the quality of people's living environment.
TOPIO aims to become a meeting point between local authorities, universities, professional groups and, in general, Europe, in terms of managing and preserving the landscape, starting from pilot areas of major importance across Europe. During and after the project, the TOPIO will serve as an advisory body for the implementation of the ELC in European countries and will promote a collaboration between administration bodies, research centers, universities, diverse associations and professionals. This will transform the TOPIO beneficiaries in to centers for thought and action in relation to landscapes.
The TOPIO will describe the conditions of the Landscape using high-end technological approaches in the field of Geoinformatics and Artificial Intelligence, promote information on policies and experience concerning protection, management and planning, public participation at different levels, the use of historical documents, the drawing up of qualitative and quantitative indicators in order to assess the effectiveness of landscape policies and finally the provision of data leading to an understanding of trends and to forecasts or forward-looking scenarios. Providing this information is essential for policymakers, stakeholders, and society. In this concept, TOPIO will contribute to the need for democratizing decision-making for landscape. This requires citizens to have initial access to accurate and timely environmental information regarding each landscape and to participate actively in deciding which landscapes are most valued and to the decision-making process by which landscape is changed, protected and managed.