A geospatial indicator for assessing urban panoramic views. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pardo García, Santiago; Mérida Rodríguez, Matías
• Is Part Of: Computers, environment and urban systems. Volume 49(2015)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Visual exposure -- Urban landscape -- Overall urban views -- Town visibility -- Urban planning -- GIS; City planning -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 303.4834
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2014.09.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0198-9715

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Adapted visual exposure method to analyse the visibility of areas in the landscape. Influence of distance and vertical visual angle in the view of landscape regions. GIS method to study panoramic views of urban settlements. Visibility data for multi-criteria town planning analysis. Abstract: We propose a general methodology for the visibility analysis of a selected landscape area, unit or set of features. Its initial field of application is in panoramic views of towns and cities, a dimension of landscape to which varied approaches have been made in recent years, both in iconographic studies and urban planning. The procedure is based on the calculation of visual exposure and includes two additional factors, namely the average vertical angle over the study area and the observation distance. The first is obtained from an extension to the visual exposure algorithm, and the second is evaluated through a weighting curve based on the ability to perceive details of the subject of interest. The result is an indicator we have called View Generation Potential (VGP), which assigns a value to each point in the territory on the basis of its capacity to produce panoramic views of the study area (town or city). The method is easy to use and sources can be readily accessed. VGP can provide useful information for decision-making in urban and land-use planning, which can be integrated into multi-criteria studies and enables the aesthetic and cultural qualities of the landscape of towns and their surrounding areas to be taken into consideration. It can also be used in the management of urban growth via the generation of land-use suitability maps, the treatment of free spaces and the creation of viewpoints.