River areas are undoubtedly among the most valuable territorial areas in Europe, not only in terms of their eco-landscape and use but also, culturally. However, there is currently a sharp reduction in the extension and increase of deterioration of riverbanks around the world. A substantial part of losses and deterioration are associated with the artificialization of the territories, derived mainly from a less than respectful urbanization around these landscapes. Urban and peri-urban riverbanks are landscapes in expansion due to the continuous growth of built-up spaces. Therefore, they should be areas of preferential consideration, especially in territories with a marked tendency to dryness, like the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. This article aims to contribute to our understanding of these spaces through the study of four distinct cases in the centre of the peninsula, in particular: the river Manzanares running through the city of Madrid, the river Tagus in Toledo and running through Talavera de la Reina, and the river Henares in Guadalajara. Three of the four urban water courses analyzed are zones of special interest for waterfowl: they sustain a winter population that varies between 745 and 1529 birds and they provide a home to some globally threatened species. The density of the riparian birds is also very high during winter, these values oscillating between a mean of 141.16 and 240.12 birds/10 ha. It should be noted that the diversity of this group of birds in the four regions studies is also high (H > 2.4 nats). The article also examines the interventions and the urban planning criteria applied to these urban and peri-urban river spaces, inferring the need to reassess urban planning in river areas to ensure it is compatible with their operation, values and possible uses.

This paper proposes a method of landscape characterisation and assessment of public works associated with fluvial landscapes, which is validated in the middle section of the Tajo River. In this method, a set of criteria is identified that unifies various characteristics of the landscape associated to the infrastructures. A specific weight is then assigned to each criterion in such a way as to produce a semi-quantitative value ranging from a minimum value of 0 to a maximum value of 10. Taken together, these criteria enable us to describe and assess the value of the public works selected for study, in this case helping us to evaluate the sections of the River Tajo analysed in our study area. Accordingly, the value of all the infrastructures associated to a stretch of the river covering several hundred kilometres was determined and after dividing this stretch into sections, they were compared under equivalent conditions to provide a hierarchal ranking

This Special Issue focuses on the debate and recent trends in research dealing with railways, touristic itineraries, landscape and heritage digital documentation, while keeping in mind the goals of “The European Year of Rail”

The interface between ecology and esthetics does not only exist but is often vaster than thought at first sight. The implications of one for the other are diverse and often subtle, but both dimensions share a link that is as elusive as it is significant because of its influence on human behavior and on the landscape itself. Therefore, it is increasingly viewed as one of the aspects in the complex human–nature reality that should receive serious consideration to better manage the landscape. However, this relationship can be approached in different ways, and each of these perspectives will shape certain outcomes and different ways of intervening in the landscape. This article presents a generic framework of the models of analysis and intervention in the landscape from the point of view of how they address the ecological and esthetic component, with the aim of defining the limits in which each one moves, the differentiating nuances, and the repercussions they can have on the landscape. Likewise, the strategy that would best incorporate a more effective and meaningful relationship between ecology and esthetics in landscape planning is suggested.

In line with the Urban Agenda for the EU, this article highlights the importance of local actions in the conservation of biodiversity, both through specific activities and by increasing the availability of information. As such, the policies and projects related to the conservation of biodiversity have been analyzed here at different levels and, in particular, the initiatives undertaken in the Madrid Region, Spain. Consequently, two cases are presented that demonstrate the role that local administrations can play in improving the biodiversity database, and hence, in the effective protection of areas of significant environmental value. First, we will examine the effects that creating an environmental inventory of vegetation, flora and landscape has had in Torrelodones. Second, among the more recent environmental policies implemented in the municipality of Madrid are those that resulted in the environmental recovery of the urban section of the Manzanares River. Both these actions demonstrate how local authorities can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity at relatively low expense and in line with EU guidelines. Notably, this occurred despite the fact that competences in environmental matters in Spain are not municipal. In this context, the paper reflects on the untapped potential of the General Urban Planning Plans (PGOU) in deep knowledge and sustainable and responsible management of municipal environmental values.

Information about the paper titled "RAILTOLAND, A COLLECTIVE IDEATION PLATFORM TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE TOOLS TO COMMUNICATE THE EUROPEAN CULTURAL LANDSCAPES BY TRAIN" at IATED Digital Library