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An Exploratory Analysis of Expert and Nonexpert-Based Land-Scape Aesthetics Evaluations: A Case Study from Wales

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  • Yi-Min Chang Chien

    (School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Steve Carver

    (School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Alexis Comber

    (School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

Abstract

The debate over the conceptual constructs of landscape aesthetics, specifically whether landscape quality is inherently related to landscape physical characteristics or is subjectively “in the eye of the beholder,” has continued for years. Solutions accommodating both the biophysical and perceptual aspects of landscapes are thus desirable for landscape planners and policymakers. In response to policy shifts that emphasise both expert and public landscape perspectives, this study investigates the relationships between formal and informal landscape evaluations. It analyses crowdsourced data describing landscape aesthetic quality (Scenic-Or-Not) and authoritative landscape quality assessments (the Landscape Assessment Decision Making Process (LANDMAP) of Wales). Some agreement was found regarding landforms most likely to be perceived as scenic or unattractive by experts and non-experts, which aligns with previous landscape perception studies. However, contested landscape typologies are identified formal and informal landscape aesthetic evaluations are compared. Several limitations and implications for current formal landscape assessment paradigms (GIS based and vertical) are discussed and several approaches for capturing on-the-ground perceptions are suggested including recent extensions to GIS derived viewsheds (e.g., vertical voxel viewsheds).

Suggested Citation

  • Yi-Min Chang Chien & Steve Carver & Alexis Comber, 2021. "An Exploratory Analysis of Expert and Nonexpert-Based Land-Scape Aesthetics Evaluations: A Case Study from Wales," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:2:p:192-:d:499005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Santé, Inés & Tubío, José María & Miranda, David, 2020. "Public participation in defining landscape planning scenarios and landscape quality objectives (LQO): Landscape Guidelines for Galicia (NW Spain) case study," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    2. Andrew Butler, 2016. "Dynamics of integrating landscape values in landscape character assessment: the hidden dominance of the objective outsider," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 239-252, February.
    3. Simensen, Trond & Halvorsen, Rune & Erikstad, Lars, 2018. "Methods for landscape characterisation and mapping: A systematic review," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 557-569.
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    1. Getaneh Addis Tessema & Jean Poesen & Gert Verstraeten & Anton Van Rompaey & Jan van der Borg, 2021. "The Scenic Beauty of Geosites and Its Relation to Their Scientific Value and Geoscience Knowledge of Tourists: A Case Study from Southeastern Spain," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-27, April.
    2. Peng Wang & Wenjuan Yang & Dengju Wang & Youjun He, 2021. "Insights into Public Visual Behaviors through Eye-Tracking Tests: A Study Based on National Park System Pilot Area Landscapes," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.

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