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Dearden, P. (1987). Consensus and a theoretical framework for landscape evaluation. Journal of Environmental Management, 24, 267-278.
Abstract
A set of 11 hypotheses is presented linking observer, landscape and mode of interaction circumstances to concensus: size, complexity and perceived quality of area, presence of water, degree of naturalness of area, age of observers, familiarity, training, use of landscape surrogates in evaluations, looking time of interaction and the type of evaluation being undertaken.-from Author
... There are two contrasting approaches to the aesthetics of landscape: the subjective and objective paradigms (Keshtkaran, Habibi, and Sharif 2017;Karasov et al. 2020). The former is a human-focused theory in which beauty depends on the subjective visual perception of the beholder; the latter focuses on the intrinsic qualities of the object, i.e. the attributes of the landscape (Dearden 1987;Lothian 1999;Kerebel et al. 2019). The objective paradigm has been influenced by environmental management practices (Daniel 2001). ...
People inherently assess landscapes by creating spontaneous aesthetic liking judgments based on the surrounding stimuli. To understand these judgements objectively, use may be made of the fluency theory of aesthetic pleasure (the psychological processes through which people experience beauty). This study aims to predict people’s visual aesthetic preferences based on fluency theory and to correlate these preferences with landscape types and features. An ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model was developed to predict visual aesthetic liking, using image statistics as explanatory variables. We determined types of landscape using Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) and applied viewshed analyses distinguishing between near, medium, and far zones. We identified landscape features by content analysis making use of machine learning-based image recognition supplied by Google Cloud Vision API. The results show that vegetation and geological forms were the most significant features for people’s visual aesthetic liking, followed by waterscapes and built structures/human settlements. The viewshed analyses indicated that ‘medium-altitude, low-gradient artificial areas’ were visible in photographs with high aesthetic visual liking in all zones (i.e., at all distances). When the photographs showing this type of landscape are examined, the artificial areas in the photographs turn out to consist mostly of historical buildings or remains. This finding suggests that historical sites are not just important for their cultural value, but for their visual aesthetic value as well.
... Evolutionary theories explain visual landscape preferences by biological and evolutionary principles (Appleton 1975, claiming that we respond positively to features that enhance survival and wellbeing. On the other hand, 'humanistic' or 'cultural' preference theories (Tuan 1974, Carlson 2001 argue that attitudes, beliefs and ideas of each individual observer are in a constant change and shaped by cultural and personal experiences, with beauty being in the eye of the beholder (Meinig 1976, Dearden 1987, Lothian 1999. In an attempt to resolve the conflict between biological and cultural explanations of human responses to nature, Bourassa (1991) argues in his 'theoretical framework' that both biological and cultural factors are important determinants of human-nature transactions. ...
... In some circumstances, the former may dominate the response, in others the latter may dominate. In other words, in some circumstances beauty will reside more in the landscape and in others the eye of the beholder will be more critical in influencing landscape judgements (Dearden, 1987). ...
Malaysia's recreational rainforests attract a significant number of visitors and they are an important tourism asset. Visitors are attracted by the scenic views of the forests as well as the biodiversity experiences of the forest ecosystems. These recreational forests are equipped with supporting facilities to attract visitors. This study investigates gender preferences of recreational rainforest landscape in Malaysia. The study objective is to compare gender preferences regarding recreational rainforest landscapes in relation to the efforts and commitments of managing the park by the responsible authority. Sg. Chongkak Recreational Forest in Selangor, Malaysia was selected as a case study. A photo-questionnaire survey was used to gather data from 119 expert participants. Results indicate that there is a statistically significant difference between male and female preferences for facilities (p=0.038) where a greater number of female (31.09%) rated the facilities in the study sites as good compared to their male counterparts (15.97%). Thus, gender preferences, in particularly women preferences, must be taken into account when developing landscape management plan for the park.
... Additionally, a prevalent penchant for (perceived) naturalness among Western people has been established (Dearden, 1987;Herzog, 1987;Kaplan et al., 1972;Rogge et al., 2007). Naturalness has been valued for its aesthetic and recreational benefits as well as being experienced as an escape from everyday life (Hull et al., 2001;Krippendorf, 1984). ...
... Para reducir la posibilidad que otros factores pudieran influir en los resultados del estudio, se tomaron algunas precauciones en la selección de los sujetos. Ninguno de los elegidos había recibido algún tipo de información del estudio y fueron balanceados con respecto al sexo, factores que pueden influir en las preferencias paisajísticas (Dearden, 1987). ...
The landscape transformation in Central Chile shows the developments of studies that permit quantify the landscape quality, keeping in mind its multiple functions: economic, ecological and also aesthetics. This article explores the relation of the landscape preferences with the visual configuration of the perceived image and its spatial structure. For doing this, a group of photographies of the precordillerano Andean of Santiago landscape has been evaluated according to its Scenic Beauty, and the degree of Complexity and Diversity perceived by a group of university students. Later a digital analysis of the visual configuration of every image was carried out. In addition the study of the spatial structure of the territory where every photograph was taken was analysed through the software Fragstats. Positive and significant relations have been obtained, at the three levels of analyses of the landscape. This correspondence suggests implications that can add new elements to the present debate around the management of the precordillerano Andean of Santiago landscape.
... Vele auteurs wijzen op het ontbreken van een dergelijk denkkader (Appleton 1975aen 1975b, Bourassa 1991, Zube e.a. 1982, Sancar 1985, Dearden 1987, Zube 1987, Carlson 1993, Lang 1988, Knopf 1983, Gunter 1987, Sylvester 1990). Door het gebrek aan een theoretisch denkkader zijn aannamen niet vermeld, zijn operationalisaties van kwaliteitscriteria niet onderbouwd (gevolgen zijn bijvoorbeeld: niet compleet, discutabele criteria, criteria die voortkomen uit de stand der techniek (mogelijkheden van GIS, aanbod van databestanden) in plaats van het denken over kwaliteit), en werken vele onderzoekers langs elkaar (ieder zijn eigen indeling en systeempje, maar geen algemene samenhangende discussie in het denken over kwaliteit). ...
... The assessment of landscape quality is a multidisciplinary activity that can be approached in different ways depending on the aims of such assessment and the training of the people involved (Palmer and Hoffman, 2001). Experts in landscape architecture, engineering, psychology and planning, all approach assessment from different angles (Carlson, 1977;Ribe, 1982;Dearden, 1987;Ayuga, 2001;Tassinari and Torreggiani, 2006). However, the literature shows there to be two clearly differentiated main approaches that can be followed (Briggs and France, 1980;Lothian, 1999;Arriaza et al., 2004). ...
The present work proposes a simplified model for assessing the quality of landscapes from rural roads in Spain. The proposed model is based on the full Cañas method but takes into account only four of the 16 factors, the latter contemplates: vegetation, land use, form (elements differing from the background) and texture (reflection of light from surfaces). The procedure was tested by assessing the landscapes captured in 109 photographs taken from sections of rural roads around Spain and comparing the results with (a) those obtained using the full Cañas model, and (b) the landscape preferences of the evaluators determined using the Likert scale. The correlation between the Cañas method and the proposed model was strong (R2 = 98.5%), indicating that the simplified model is sufficient for landscape quality assessment in the present setting. A strong correlation (R2 = 96.24%) was also found between the landscape quality values obtained using the simplified model and the landscape preferences of the evaluators recorded via the Likert scale. The proposed model differentiates between the landscapes seen from the rural roads better than the Cañas method and could be used in the planning of rural roads and other transport infrastructures (greenways, railways, highways, etc.) around Spain and even in other parts of the Mediterranean after further validation. It might also be employed in the decision-making process surrounding the investments to be made in existing but deteriorated rural roads with agricultural and/or leisure uses.
Photographs have been utilized as substitutes for on-site scenes in the assessment and evaluation of landscape’s visual quality, perspective, and preference. Visual quality, perception, and preference are assessed through human eyes and their judgment. However, the human judgement is often generally categorized as expert vs. citizen. Literature searches show that the expert-based assessment dominates over the citizen level judgement. There is a lack of information on methodologies to assess public preference of landscape and landscape attributes. This paper discussed two different approaches of assessing landscape preferences of the public (local and visitors) in the proposed Appalachian Geopark Project (hereafter referred as pAGP) covering Fayette, Greenbrier, and Raleigh Counties in West Virginia (WV). A set of two questionnaire surveys were administered. There were questions for answering as a cognitive preference exercise and a set of photographs for rating as a visual stimulation exercise. Both instruments were delivered to respondents as anonymous links using Survey123 and Qualtrics software respectively. The results from both surveys revealed the highest preference was found for forested landscapes followed by water features and the associated landscapes. This study’s findings revealed how multiple methods of assessing public preferences can strengthen and justify the results from different methods. Surveys were completed by 47 respondents.
Seventy-five urban and 75 rural residents participated in a study of attitudes toward and perceptions of wilderness. Results of an attitude questionnaire indicated that both rural and urban respondents expressed a positive attitude toward wilderness and a relatively high degree of environmental concern. However, the findings of a photo task demonstrated that the two populations responded to the questionnaire on the basis of a different understanding of what constitutes wilderness; that is, respondents from the two areas perceived the same environment in different ways.
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