Assessing landscape preferences: a visual choice experiment in the agricultural region of Märkische Schweiz,Germany

Natural amenities and the aesthetic value of agricultural landscapes are important territorial assets for improving rural tourism and the quality of the living environment. To identify which characteristics shape the visual quality of a landscape, a stated-preference survey was conducted (N = 200) using photorealistic landscape visualisations of four different landscape attributes (point green elements, linear green elements, crop diversity and presence of livestock). We estimated respondents’ preferences for landscape attributes, examined the extent of agreement among respondents and identified socio-economic factors influencing their responses. Results revealed that point elements had the highest general preference. About 70% of respondents preferred diverse and highly structured landscapes, while about 30% of respondents had opposing preferences. Preferences were also found to be dependent on the individual’s sociocultural background, such as their level of education, gender or age. These results can help to improve the multi-objective targeting of policies by including an aesthetic value perspective.     

Landscape Visual Aesthetics Measurement,Assessment, and Improvement of Street Pedestrian Spaces in Mountainous Cities—Case Study on the Historic Downtown of Jinan,Shandong Province

Urban streets support citizens’ daily commuting and social and recreational activities. Streetscape is also a visual resource and an important part of urban landscape appearance. Serving as an important ecological base and natural components of urban spatial structure, mountains often determine a city’s spatial layout and landscape identity so as to promote mountaincity integration. The study focuses on the historic downtown of Jinan, a typical mountainous city, analyzes the landscape aesthetic visual characteristics of street pedestrian spaces, and measures their landscape visual aesthetic quality by using panoramic images; the research then evaluates the visibility of high-visual-aesthetic-quality urban mountainous landscape to urban streets; finally, based on the overall landscape visual aesthetic quality evaluation results of urban street pedestrian spaces, the paper proposes a series of optimization suggestions of the streets at different levels to improve the harmony with urban mountain landscapes. The study hopes to provide a reference for the creation of mountain–city-integrated urban landscapes, as well as the healthy and sustainable urban development.     

Remote sensing and GIS in modeling visual landscape change: a case study of the northwestern arid coast of Egypt

Land use planners in many countries have recognized the importance of the aesthetic values of landscape. Their desire to incorporate these values into decision-making processes has created a need to identify valid ways to quantify the scenic characteristics of landscapes. This has led to an increasing interest in the use of spatial data and geographic information systems (GIS) methodology in assessing visual attributes of the landscape. The objective of the present study is to assess the visual changes in a rapidly developing coastal area of Egypt using remotely sensed data (satellite images and aerial photographs) and raster GIS modeling. The analysis assesses changes between a period characterized by a vernacular, relatively natural landscape (1950s) and the beginning of the exploitation of the region for resorts (1990s). Using land use/land cover classes extracted from the satellite images and aerial photographs, four visual attributes of landscape are identified: land use/land cover diversity, activity (degree of naturalness), proximity to the shoreline, and topographic variety. A composite index is also developed. Although these attributes and the composite index rely mostly on the type of land use/land cover information on the landscape under consideration, the adopted techniques succeed in detecting several changes in the attributes, spatially locating them and mapping the magnitude of their changes. This study demonstrates what can be done to analyze and assess what is usually considered an incommensurable resource, the visual attributes of landscapes. It also reveals the extent of the impact of unplanned or ill-planned activities on one of the fragile resources of arid landscapes.     

Landscape characteristic aesthetic structure: Construction of urban landscape characteristic time-spatial pattern based on aesthetic subjects☆

The paper presents means and models of city-landscape characteristic structure construction on the aspect of landscape aesthetics subjects, which is called the landscape characteristic aesthetic structure and in short as LCAS. In this paper, the steps of LCAS research are as follows:Describes the concepts of the landscape characteristic aesthetic structure (LCAS), and expounds the LCAS properties: systematic quality, temporal and spatial quality, and virtual existence.Learns from typology research methods, discusses the elements and types needed in a landscape characteristic aesthetic system, and constructs research method for LCAS pattern. As for the temporal dimension, the dynamic evolution and interaction expressed in LCAS between the “tradition” and “modernity” landscapes conflict. As for the spatial dimension, this paper explores the LCAS patterns in macroscopic scope of city group, the middle scope of single cities and the microcosmic scope of urban spaces with questionnaires and examples research.Uses pattern language to express different LCAS types in the temporal and spatial system.We develop the patterns of various LCAS types with graphical patterned representation, as well as construct the LCAS research method and theory which is based on the general people's aesthetic standards and sensibilities to build city characteristics and urban landscapes as a guidance.     

Assessing public preferences for design and environmental attributes of an urban automated transportation system

This study investigates public preferences toward design and environmental aesthetic attributes of an automated transportation system—Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) in an urban setting. The goal of the study was to understand the perceived visual aesthetic quality of the PRT within diverse architectural and natural elements composing the town's main spatial and visual structure and to separate the various components that determine a cumulative visual experience. We utilized human perceptual judgments as indicators of visual aesthetic quality, and referred to a psychophysical method to assess the perceived visual aesthetic quality of the scenes. Perceptions were captured using a rank ordering process of most and least preferred scenes on presented panels and responses were analyzed using correlation and regression statistical techniques. Results indicate that specific design attributes such as pillar shape or size, and type of fascia, did not emerge as significantly influencing public perception, while the relationship between automated structure and vehicular infrastructure, and the position of the observer are particularly important. Overall findings indicate that studies conducted on automated transportation should consider the effect of context on the perception of the system. The findings improve our understanding of visual strengths and weaknesses of automated transportation structures within the urban environment and can be useful in the planning for similar transportation systems.     

不同文化语境下的园林景石审美研究

景石是园林中不可缺少的一个重要组成部分。文章通过分析中国、日本和欧洲的景石艺术的特点,剖析其不同哲学思想、文化特色,总结景石的审美取向和文化属性,为当今景观设计提供借鉴。     

城市湿地旅游开发中的景观特质保护——以杭州西溪湿地为例

城市湿地具有重要的生态和环境功能以及美学娱乐价值、文化历史价值，在维持区域生态平衡，保护生物多样性方面具有重要作用。特别是像杭州西溪湿地这种罕见的城中次生湿地，有丰富的湿地生态资源、幽雅的自然景观、丰富的人文景观、深厚的文化积淀，能给人们提供许多视觉美学享受，是一种宝贵的自然旅游资源，更应该谨慎合理地开发。通过对杭州西溪湿地开发前后景观特征的影响分析，用景观生态学理论与形态指数的量化方法探讨了城市湿地旅游开发中的景观特质保护与资源可持续利用的课题。     

敏感地段的景观安全格局设计及地理信息系统应用—以北京香山滑雪场为例

景观中存在着某些关键性的局部、位置和空间联系,它们构成某种战略性的格局－－景观安全格局,对维护景观中某种过程的健康和安全有着至关重要的作用。以北京香山滑雪场和规划过程为例,本文系统地探讨了景观生态安全格局、景观礼觉安全格局和景观文化安全格局的判别及其敏感地段的场地规划办法。地理信息系统在场地规划中的有着广阔的应用前景。     

广东绿道的特色规划设计实践 谈深圳大鹏绿道规划设计的审美量化

本文以中国传统的自然观对现代发展的启发为出发点,结合深圳大鹏新区的绿道规划,融入中国传统的风景审美思想,综合考虑生态格局、景观风貌和风景差异性,尝试采用GIS与层次分析法结合,对传统风景审美的理论进行量化综合评价,为建设特色绿道提供依据,为新时期健康城镇化发展寻求人文关怀的回归。     

城市视觉景观公众偏好特征研究

探究城市视觉景观的公众审美偏好特征是提升城市景观规划设计合理性的基础。以福建省13个县市区为例,通过实地观察、问卷调研的方式获取2686名受访者对34张城市景观照片的审美偏好,量化分析了影响公众审美偏好的城市视觉景观元素及整体特征。研究结果表明：1)对公众审美偏好产生积极影响的城市视觉景观元素有水体、道路和桥梁,而山体和现代建筑则会对公众审美产生消极影响;2)对公众审美偏好具有影响的城市视觉景观整体特征为视野开阔度、景观护理强度,以及建筑高度与山脊线的关系。获取了具有福建特色的城市视觉景观偏好表达信息,以期为相关专家和决策者了解公众需求、优化城市景观提供参考。     

艺术化的乡土——浙江德清下渚湖湿地公园规划

平淡、真实的乡土是自然的,通过艺术手法加工的乡土更富有强烈的感染力。以浙江下渚湖湿地公园规划为例,介绍规划过程中对地域乡土特色“土、草、水、木、山”等自然元素的挖掘、整合和利用。在保护生态湿地资源的基础上,以现代风景园林艺术手法处理自然乡土,塑造别具一格的乡土景观形象。     

建筑观景器 王维仁西溪湿地设计中的动景再框与倾斜诗意

王维仁西溪艺术村项目由一系列建筑观景器组成,再造了山、水、天、地交错而置的地景欣赏体验。他的建筑融合了中国传统美学论述、体现西方静态解析透视的电影剪辑手法,以此重新解读湿地景观,从视觉感知到感性与智性的理解,唤起新的空间可能性。     

Relationships between visual landscape preferences and map-based indicators of landscape structure

There is increasing awareness of the need to monitor trends in our constantly changing agricultural landscapes. Monitoring programmes often use remote sensing data and focus on changes in land cover/land use in relation to values such as biodiversity, cultural heritage and recreation. Although a wide range of indicators is in use, landscape aesthetics is a topic that is frequently neglected. Our aim was to determine whether aspects of landscape content and configuration could be used as surrogate measures for visual landscape quality in monitoring programmes based on remote sensing. In this paper, we test whether map-derived indicators of landscape structure from the Norwegian monitoring programme for agricultural landscapes are correlated with visual landscape preferences. Two groups of people participated: (1) locals and (2) non-local students. Using the total dataset, we found significant positive correlations between preferences and spatial metrics, including number of land types, number of patches and land type diversity. In addition, preference scores were high where water was present within the mapped image area, even if the water itself was not visible in the images. When the dataset was split into two groups, we found no significant correlation between the preference scores of the students and locals. Whilst the student group preferred images portraying diverse and heterogeneous landscapes, neither diversity nor heterogeneity was correlated with the preference scores of the locals. We conclude that certain indicators based on spatial structure also have relevance in relation to landscape preferences in agricultural landscapes. However, the finding that different groups of people prefer different types of landscape underlines the need for care when interpreting indicator values.     

Our visual landscape: Managing the landscape under special consideration of visual aspects

Comprehensive landscape valuation requires an integration of ecological, economical and social values. Landscape image does not only comprise its spatial and structural parts but also the formal visual and cultural aesthetic expression of the landscape. In accordance with this holistic image of the landscape the manifestation of these special elements and visual functions is reflective of the natural and cultural coherence and beauty of long functioning natural and cultivated landscape systems.Landscape image and identity on the one hand and its natural or cultural variety (singular appearances of elements, local peculiarities or particulars) on the other hand are the most important criteria for evaluation, classifying and protecting against possible impacts on the local and regional landscape.However, in addition to the desirability of preserving existing landscape identity, the protection of existing elements, space and functions should not blindly rule out the possibility of new developments emerging with new values.Based on this basic idea value ranking of landscape features and individual expression of partial image sectors can be performed on the level of ecological and sustainable land use and planning culture. In landscape planning it is recognised that such a ranking requires a combination with professional judgement, informed opinion and public preferences as well.To ensure the aims of preservation and development of a high-quality nature and culture beauty special methods of analysis and demonstration of the landscape structure and image are requested. The demonstrated methodical steps should correspond to the objective of a sustainable nature and landscape preservation and development on an aesthetic landscape planning level with guidelines and helpful data for the impact assessment and intervention rule (German nature conservation act).     

Sustainable landscape use and aesthetic perception–preliminary reflections on future landscape aesthetics

In this paper, a conceptual framework is described for a better understanding of future landscapes as aesthetical objects. The paper is divided in four parts. In the first part, the poor aesthetic reality of today’s landscapes is described and the consequences for aesthetic perception are explained. In the second part, a more sustainable use of landscape is discussed as developmental necessity for the next decades, and some aesthetic aspects of such a development are examined. In the third part, human aesthetic perception is described as a basic cognition process, differentiating between four major levels of knowledge or of sense (perception, expression, symptomatic information, and symbolic meaning). In the last part, all aspects of the first three parts are used to determine basic aesthetic categories of future landscapes. As the most relevant aesthetic categories are identified: the beautiful, the (new) sublime, the interesting, and the plain. Finally an attempt is made to derive from these categories the most important aesthetic prototypes of tomorrow’s landscape.     

Comparing live experience with pictures in articulating landscape preference

This study defines the dynamic variables affecting landscape perception. Twenty‐five respondents were taken along a trail in southern Indiana through sixteen representative settings, providing preference ratings for each. They were also asked to articulate their feelings about the sites. The same group repeated the study in a laboratory using slides. The resulting data were analysed to determine to what extent dynamic variables were affecting preference for experiences in the landscape and in the simulated environment. Results clearly illustrate that multi‐sensory variables have a profound impact on preference for certain environments not found in standard, laboratory research.     

基于视觉关注度与审美偏好的城市景观 元素感知特征研究

视觉关注度与审美偏好是衡量城市景观元素感知属 性的2个独立变量。这2个概念往往易被混淆,且鲜有研究探 究两者之间的关系,并甄选出既受人关注又受人喜爱的景观元 素。通过将城市景观照片作为测试媒介,结合眼动分析法与审 美偏好测试,量化分析了城市景观元素的视觉关注度与审美 偏好。结果显示：1)相比自然景观元素(山体、树林、水体、 草地),人工景观元素(现代建筑、传统建筑、桥梁、道路)更 易受到关注;2)不同自然景观元素对审美偏好的贡献差异显 著,水体审美偏好显著,而山体偏好表现负向;3)在易受到 关注的各类景观元素中,传统建筑、桥梁等偏好显著,现代建 筑偏好表现负向。该研究结果可为城市景观规划设计实践提供 理论参考。     

Analyses of urban landscape dynamics using multi-temporal satellite images: A comparison of two petroleum-oriented cities

Rapid urbanization, as a result of population growth and migration from rural to urban, has been recognized as a critical process in urban areas. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal landscape dynamics using multi-temporal satellite images in two petroleum-based cities: Houston, Texas in the United States and Daqing, Heilongjiang province in China. Both cities expanded rapidly on the basis of the petroleum industries during the last 50 years; however, under different socio-political contexts. Comparing the landscape pattern and dynamics in these two cities, we can identify how the urbanization in these two petroleum-based cities affects the landscape pattern, especially in the natural landscapes. A set of landscape indices with supplementary ecological meanings was chosen to facilitate our analyses of spatial dynamics over a span of 20 years. On the basis of the derived indices, a general trend of landscape change was revealed in these two cities: natural landscapes such as grassland and wetland were degraded or fragmented into a more heterogeneous pattern, while the human landscapes such as residential area expanded greatly by replacing other natural classes.