Second TOPIO Autumn School

Lisbon 2025

Topic: Field Applications in Portugal

Introduction

The second Autumn School, Specialized Lecture, and Workshop of the TOPIO project will take place at the Landscape Observatory of Chamusca, Portugal, from Tuesday, October 7 to Friday, October 10, 2025.
The event will be jointly organized by the Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon and Casal do Gavião do Meio.

Aim and Focus

This year’s event aims to explore, discuss, and exchange theories and concepts related to landscape ecology, local landscape observatories, and field applications that actively involve local communities in ongoing landscape changes. By combining lectures, workshops, and field visits, the program will bring together project partners, researchers, students, and community members to reflect on how landscapes are transformed and how these changes can be perceived, documented, and addressed.

Structure of the Event

The Autumn School, Specialized Lecture, and Workshop will be structured in three main sections, each combining theoretical sessions, practical tools, and participatory engagement.

• Energy Transition Policies and Landscape Change

  The first section will address the impacts of energy transition policies on landscape transformation and the way these changes are perceived by local communities. The opening topical lecture will examine landscape transformation due to renewable energy, with case studies from Spain. In the Charneca Landscape Observatory area, participants will take part in a community workshop to explore perceptions of change brought about by the ongoing wind farm project. A field visit to the Observatory will complement the workshop. This section will also include a session on the questionnaire structure developed in Task 2.2, designed to capture perceptions of landscape change across the different case study areas.

• Methodological Approaches for Community Involvement

  The second section will focus on participatory methodologies and digital tools. A topical lecture will present geoinformatics approaches for participatory landscape monitoring. Project partners will share their expertise on the digital twin interface developed from visitor perspectives at the TOPIO pilot sites, as well as participatory tools for nature conservation, public awareness, and citizen empowerment in landscape decision-making.

• Landscape Observatories: Bridging Theory and Policy

  The final section will examine the role of landscape observatories in mobilizing citizens, serving as platforms that bridge theory and applied policy. The Specialized Lecture will be delivered in two sessions, addressing how observatories can foster policy application and community activation. This section will also facilitate the exchange of lessons learned from diverse case studies across Europe.

Format and Organization

The Autumn School, Specialized Lecture, and Workshop will run for three consecutive days in the same setting, ensuring continuity and cross-fertilization of ideas among participants. For the TOPIO project partners, the project meeting will be held on Friday, October 10, in the morning slot.

Venue

All sessions will take place at the Landscape Observatory of Chamusca, located about 140 km from Lisbon and 50 km from Santarém.
Address: -2140-224 Gaviãozinho, Portugal [ View on Google Maps ]