Landscape Character Assessment for Sustainable Rural Development in Border Insular Areas: A Case Study of Ano Mirabello, Crete

This article seeks to demonstrate the value of landscape character assessment in addressing the unique needs of remote areas, located at national insular borders, with lower levels of development and economic activity. The paper assesses and presents the predominant landscape character of a remote agricultural area in the north part of the island of Crete in Greece, the specific assets of various landscape character types with the main productive economic sectors, leading to a proposal for tourism development sustainable strategies. To achieve this, a landscape character assessment methodology was applied in combination with a literature review and landscape evaluation per each economic sector. The goals of a landscape strategy for the area were formulated to preserve and enhance the landscape character and uniqueness, as natural and cultural heritage, for the benefit of the island inhabitants. At the end, landscape strategies for the planning, management and protection of the specific area were proposed for its sustainable development.