Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape Planning
The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) method from the UK has proven effective in identifying landscape values and characteristics through a comprehensive mapping process. However, it is predominantly expert-led and lacks an evaluation of scenery, hindering the inclusion of the broader community’s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/2/169 |
| _version_ | 1797297759893585920 |
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| author | Ata Tara Gillian Lawson Wendy Davies Alan Chenoweth Georgina Pratten |
| author_facet | Ata Tara Gillian Lawson Wendy Davies Alan Chenoweth Georgina Pratten |
| author_sort | Ata Tara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) method from the UK has proven effective in identifying landscape values and characteristics through a comprehensive mapping process. However, it is predominantly expert-led and lacks an evaluation of scenery, hindering the inclusion of the broader community’s preferences and visual attachment to their landscape. In Australia, the application of the Scenic Amenity Methodology (SAM) using Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping has engaged communities but has often overlooked the importance of landscape character. To overcome these limitations, this study presents an innovative scenic assessment methodology, referred to as modified Scenic Amenity Methodology (modified SAM). The methodology establishes landscape character types (LCTs) to map scenic preference ratings derived from community photo surveys. Simultaneously, it incorporates the visual exposure of the landscape from publicly accessible viewpoints, modelled using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The combination of scenic preferences and visual exposure enables mapping of the scenic amenity values held by the community. This methodology was first trialled in Bundaberg, then Cairns, the Whitsunday Islands, and, most recently, Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia. This paper presents the results of the Toowoomba study and reports on the challenges and limitations of informing landscape character type (LCT) values through a public photo survey, developing a scenic preference map from ratings of photos across a region, a map of the visual exposure of landscape elements from key public viewing locations, and, ultimately, a map of scenic amenity values across the Toowoomba Region. It indicates that integrating previous LCA approaches with public participation through community preferences is indeed feasible for regional landscape planning. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:25:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bae8aca67b114edea3504cc190b48269 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:25:04Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-bae8aca67b114edea3504cc190b482692024-02-23T15:24:05ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2024-01-0113216910.3390/land13020169Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape PlanningAta Tara0Gillian Lawson1Wendy Davies2Alan Chenoweth3Georgina Pratten4School of Architecture and Urban Design, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Landscape Architecture, Lincoln University, Christchurch 7647, New ZealandLatStudios, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaSchool of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, AustraliaLatStudios, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaThe Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) method from the UK has proven effective in identifying landscape values and characteristics through a comprehensive mapping process. However, it is predominantly expert-led and lacks an evaluation of scenery, hindering the inclusion of the broader community’s preferences and visual attachment to their landscape. In Australia, the application of the Scenic Amenity Methodology (SAM) using Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping has engaged communities but has often overlooked the importance of landscape character. To overcome these limitations, this study presents an innovative scenic assessment methodology, referred to as modified Scenic Amenity Methodology (modified SAM). The methodology establishes landscape character types (LCTs) to map scenic preference ratings derived from community photo surveys. Simultaneously, it incorporates the visual exposure of the landscape from publicly accessible viewpoints, modelled using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The combination of scenic preferences and visual exposure enables mapping of the scenic amenity values held by the community. This methodology was first trialled in Bundaberg, then Cairns, the Whitsunday Islands, and, most recently, Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia. This paper presents the results of the Toowoomba study and reports on the challenges and limitations of informing landscape character type (LCT) values through a public photo survey, developing a scenic preference map from ratings of photos across a region, a map of the visual exposure of landscape elements from key public viewing locations, and, ultimately, a map of scenic amenity values across the Toowoomba Region. It indicates that integrating previous LCA approaches with public participation through community preferences is indeed feasible for regional landscape planning.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/2/169scenic amenitylandscape characterscenic preferencevisual exposurelandscape planning |
| spellingShingle | Ata Tara Gillian Lawson Wendy Davies Alan Chenoweth Georgina Pratten Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape Planning Land scenic amenity landscape character scenic preference visual exposure landscape planning |
| title | Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape Planning |
| title_full | Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape Planning |
| title_fullStr | Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape Planning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape Planning |
| title_short | Integrating Landscape Character Assessment with Community Values in a Scenic Evaluation Methodology for Regional Landscape Planning |
| title_sort | integrating landscape character assessment with community values in a scenic evaluation methodology for regional landscape planning |
| topic | scenic amenity landscape character scenic preference visual exposure landscape planning |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/2/169 |
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