Landscape character assessment with GIS using map-based indicators and photographs in the relationship between landscape and roads. (15th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martín, Belén; Ortega, Emilio; Otero, Isabel; Arce, Rosa M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 180(2016)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 334
• Publication Date: 2016-09-15
• Subjects: Landscape planning -- Landscape visual quality -- Landscape character evaluation -- Geographic information systems -- Indicator; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.05.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Planning and monitoring of landscapes cannot be reduced to its outstanding features, but must take into account all its characteristics. In this context, the relationship of landscape with roads is of particular importance, because roads alter the territory's environmental resources but also constitute a resource through which the individual comes into contact with the landscape. The aim of this work is to design a methodology to evaluate both the character and the scenic quality of the landscape as viewed from motorways and to provide measures to assess whether the motorway conveys the character of the landscape of which it forms part. The main contribution of this research consists of assessing landscape character through a novel series of map-based indicators and combining the findings with a photo-based method of assessing visual landscape quality. The method has been applied to a case study around a motorway in Madrid Region (Spain). Landscape character values regarding coherence, complexity, naturalness, visual scale, disturbance, historicity, and ephemera are obtained using Geographic Information Systems. Additionally, the landscape quality results derived using photographs allow the incorporation of the user's perception at a local scale. Highlights: The character and quality of landscape have been measured using indicators. The observer view and the traditional planning view of landscape are combined. A GIS map-based method and a photo-based method have been combined. The complementarity of the methods has been assessed.