Color, key to understanding and managing the landscape

Color as an ecological and cultural indicator.

On April 5, 2024, the Espai Cràter in Olot hosted a seminar organized by the Landscape Observatory of Catalonia that focused on a topic as everyday as it is fundamental: color in the landscape.

The meeting served as a forum to discuss how chromatic variations enable the perception of environmental changes and how color influences a place’s collective identity. The cultural and symbolic dimension of colors was also addressed, as they have acquired diverse meanings over time and in different regions.

During her presentation at the seminar organized by the Landscape Observatory of Catalonia, the architect, landscape architect, and urban planner Miriam García underscored the essential role of color in human perception of the environment and in decision-making related to conservation and territorial planning.

García explained that color not only has esthetic value but also serves as an ecological and cultural indicator, helping to interpret and appreciate landscapes. In this regard, he argued that the ecological study of color allows for the integration of biophysical, perceptual, and functional dimensions, providing new tools to advance toward more sustainable land management.

The seminar left new questions open: in what ways does color condition our emotional relationship with the territory? What role can it play in transforming common spaces?

The full presentations are now available for viewing on the Landscape Observatory of Catalonia’s website: click here.