Among Mountains

◼ The theoretical framework of this dissertation is centred around mountains, particularly Czech mountains. Our mountains are specific – all are unique, and they all differ in their history, atmosphere or silhoutte. Nonetheless, all of them contribute to the cultural and natural wealth of our country. However, we seem to be losing our respect to the mountains. Or do we just don’t know, how to help and expand their story?

This project attempts to rationalise impressions and feelings by piecing together a real image of mountains past and present through individual layers. In relation to that, the project seeks the problematic aspects of human invasion of the mountains and analyses positive approaches for future developments. The theoretical part analyses the use of concrete tools – management and planning methods developing sustainability layers to meliorate natural and mountain areas. Part of the approach is a discussion of a new mountain region and attempts to develop ways of integrating the peripheral parts of border mountain ranges back into the context of the land. The thesis develops a tool for regional planning that demonstrates equality between the man and the nature in the context of a landscape that attempts to balance the two forces in all aspects. Part of the proposal is seven landscape fragments tailored to the type of the landscape, whose character is determined by their location within the landscape cross-section and around which the individual strategies are based. The goal is to develop a setup of alternative landscape typology regimes that combines a creation of sustainable, attractive landscapes and a diversification of the offering for visits, longer stays and local inhabitants. The thesis itself is a critical commentary of the current spatial planning approaches in relation to the landscape. It challenges such approaches and sets the perception of the landscape and its subsequent transformation into new context on a larger scale.