Post-fire attitudes and perceptions of people towards the landscape character and development in the rural Peloponnese, a case study of the traditional village of Leontari, Arcadia, Greece

Fires played an integral role in shaping the rural Mediterranean landscape. However, the decoupling of social-ecological systems of landscapes led to rural degradation and rendered traditional settlements vulnerable to fire. A questionnaire survey conducted at the traditional village of Leontari, in the Peloponnese, Greece, investigates respondents’ perceptions towards particular interventions that would affect the landscape character and development of the village after the 2007 forest fires. Results suggest that the values of a location can play a major role in determining the perceptions of respondents. Overall respondents were “place attached” with an increased awareness of the local landscape character that guided their preferences for rural development, however, some sociodemographic group differences were found. Women compared to men were more sensitive to the impact of the forest fire and people over 65 years of age were more positive in restoring the original vegetation compared to younger in age people. •Local historical, cultural and natural values affect post-fire perceptions.•“Place attachment” motivates people to restore the original natural vegetation.•Post-fire perceptions are positive towards rural development.•Women are more sensitive to the impact of fire on the landscape image than men.•People aged over 65 are more positive in restoring the original vegetation.