LECTURE 17 Landscape, Scenery and Environmental values LECTURE 17 The term land Landscape, Scenery and Environmental Values ape commonly refers to the appearance of land, including its shape, texture, and colors It also reflects the way in which these various components combine to create specific patterns and pictures that are distinctive to particular localities The landscape is not a purely visual phenomenon; it relies heavily on other influences for its character These include the underlying geology and soils, the topography, archaeology, landscape history, land use, land management,ecology, architecture and cultural associations, all of which can influence the ways in which landscape is experienced and valued The landscape is not simply a rural phenomenon. It encompasses the whole of our external environment, whether within villages, towns, cities or coun The patterns and textures of buildings, streets, open spaces and trees, and their interrelationships within the built environment are an equally important part of our wider landscape concept Whether urban or rural, landscape is important because it is an essential part of our natural resource base, a reservoir of archaeological and historical evidence an environment for plants and animals a resource which evokes sensual, cultural and spiritual responses an important part of our quality of life It must first be understood that landscape impacts and visual impacts are separate, but related Landscape impacts are changes in the fabric, character and quality of the landscape as a result of development Hence landscape impact is concerned with direct impacts upon specific landscape elements more effects upon the overall pattern of elements that gives rise to landscape character and regional/local distinctiveness. impacts upon acknowledged special interests or values such as designated landscapes, conservation sites and cultural associations Visual impacts are a subset of landscape impacts. They relate solely to changes in available views of the andscape, and the effects of those changes on people Hence visual impact assessment is concerned with the reactions of viewers who may be affected the direct impacts of the development upon views of the landscape through intrusion or obstruction the overall impact on visual amenity, which can range from degradation through to enhancement Landscape and visual impacts do not necessarily coincide. Landscape impacts can occur in the absence of visual impacts, for instance where a development is wholly screened from available-views, but nonetheless results in a loss of landscape elements, and landscape character within the site boundary Landscape and visual impacts can arise from a variety of sources The significance of a landscape and visual impact is a function of the sensitivity of the affected landscape and visual receptors and the magnitude of change that they will experience Over time, and in all cultures, landscapes have accumulated characteristics that must be dealt with for any development(example, Feng shui woodlands Motloch(1991)made a classification of how landscapes are perceived As nature--unspoiled, deserving of conservation As habitat--supportive of man, animals, vegetation As artifact--to be subdued, conquered by man As system--holistic, human-nature as one. As problem--all is in disarray, needs solving As wealth--a commodity to be owned, sold, used As ideology--holds ideals, cultural meaning As history --cumulative record of man,s use As place -- visual and spatial geography As esthetic--intrinsic beauty, visual value Landscape and visual impact assessment is an important component of landscape planning in which the best environmental fit is sought Landscape impacts relate to changes in the fabric, character and quality of the landscape, whilst visual impact elate to the appearance of these changesLECTURE 17 Landscape, Scenery and Environmental Values 1 LECTURE 17 Landscape, Scenery and Environmental Values The term landscape commonly refers to the appearance of land, including its shape, texture, and colors. It also reflects the way in which these various components combine to create specific patterns and pictures that are distinctive to particular localities. The landscape is not a purely visual phenomenon; it relies heavily on other influences for its character. These include the underlying geology and soils, the topography, archaeology, landscape history, land use, land management, ecology, architecture and cultural associations, all of which can influence the ways in which landscape is experienced and valued. The landscape is not simply a rural phenomenon. It encompasses the whole of our external environment, whether within villages, towns, cities or in the countryside. The patterns and textures of buildings, streets, open spaces and trees, and their interrelationships within the built environment are an equally important part of our wider landscape concept. Whether urban or rural, landscape is important because it is: an essential part of our natural resource base; a reservoir of archaeological and historical evidence; an environment for plants and animals; a resource which evokes sensual, cultural and spiritual responses; an important part of our quality of life. It must first be understood that landscape impacts and visual impacts are separate, but related. Landscape impacts are changes in the fabric, character and quality of the landscape as a result of development. Hence landscape impact is concerned with: direct impacts upon specific landscape elements; more effects upon the overall pattern of elements that gives rise to landscape character and regional/local distinctiveness; impacts upon acknowledged special interests or values such as designated landscapes, conservation sites and cultural associations. Visual impacts are a subset of landscape impacts. They relate solely to changes in available views of the landscape, and the effects of those changes on people. Hence visual impact assessment is concerned with: the reactions of viewers who may be affected; the direct impacts of the development upon views of the landscape through intrusion or obstruction; the overall impact on visual amenity, which can range from degradation through to enhancement. Landscape and visual impacts do not necessarily coincide. Landscape impacts can occur in the absence of visual impacts, for instance where a development is wholly screened from available-views, but nonetheless results in a loss of landscape elements, and landscape character within the site boundary. Landscape and visual impacts can arise from a variety of sources. The significance of a landscape and visual impact is a function of the sensitivity of the affected landscape and visual receptors and the magnitude of change that they will experience. Over time, and in all cultures, landscapes have accumulated characteristics that must be dealt with for any development (example, Feng shui woodlands) Motloch (1991) made a classification of how landscapes are perceived: As nature -- unspoiled, deserving of conservation. As habitat -- supportive of man, animals, vegetation. As artifact -- to be subdued, conquered by man. As system -- holistic, human-nature as one. As problem -- all is in disarray, needs solving. As wealth -- a commodity to be owned, sold, used. As ideology -- holds ideals, cultural meaning. As history -- cumulative record of man’s use. As place -- visual and spatial geography. As esthetic -- intrinsic beauty, visual value. Landscape and visual impact assessment is an important component of landscape planning in which the best environmental fit is sought. Landscape impacts relate to changes in the fabric, character and quality of the landscape, whilst visual impacts relate to the appearance of these changes