The Landscape Component Approach to Landscape Evaluation

Bibliographic Data

ID8962595
AuthorsRoger S Crofts (corresponding author)
Year1975
Issue66
Pages124-124
Publication date1975-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTransactions of the Institute of British Geographers (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-2754 • E-ISSN: 1475-5661
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.2307/621626
OpenAlexW2318187509
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited3

The quality of scenery can be evaluated by two different sorts of techniques-preference techniques and surrogate component techniques. This paper discusses the latter type, which is regarded as the first stage in a three-stage process of landscape evaluation. The basis of the technique is the identification and measurement of those physical components of the landscape which are regarded as surrogates of scenic quality. The individual components are isolated, their identification and measurement discussed and their combined utility within existing techniques evaluated. A simple basis for a physical component approach is developed, based on components of three orders: major-form, relief, water presence; minor- irregularities and isolated occurrences; ephemeral-water character and slope activity. The pitfalls of the component approach are discussed, especially the subjectivity of component selection, the varying objectivity of applying the technique, and the confusion concerning evaluations of areas and points in relation to the observer's position. THE introduction of intrusive elements into the landscape, resulting in the possible degradation of scenic quality, along with the increasing awareness of the need to conserve scenically attractive areas, have cultivated a need for scenic evaluation. A practical approach to this topic is required, so that such evalua- tions can be compared with assessments of other landscape resources which are more readily quantified and have attributable social and/or economic effects. However, the development of techniques has been hindered by the absence of an identifiable body of theory and the inadequate understanding of the pro- cesses of personal perception of scenic quality. Despite these impediments, a whole spectrum of tech- niques has been developed ranging from the subjective assessment of scenic quality by individuals and groups to techniques using the physical attributes of landscape as surrogates for personal perception (Crofts and Cooke, I974). This paper deals with the surrogate types, where components or elements of the landscape, forming the skeleton of scenery, are recognized as being fundamental and permanent determinants of scenic quality. Particular emphasis is laid on physical components on the assumption that 'in the appraisal of landscape, the form of the ground and the nature of geomorphological processes are normally regarded as being important ingredients' (Cooke and Doornkamp, 1974, pp. 308-9). In- deed, as long ago as I89o, the geologist Hugh Miller, whilst making a plea for landscape painters to study geology to improve their appreciation of landscape intricacy and fabric, implied that geologists were capable of making some assessment of the skeleton of the landscape on behalf of the artist. The general thesis presented here is that the identification and assessment of those physical charac- teristics of the landscape which may give pleasure to the observer and create human interest is a major step in developing simple and practical methods of evaluating scenic quality. However, this is only the first stage-landscape measurement-of the landscape evaluation process, after which follow landscape preference or value measurement and the evaluation of landscape in terms of individual and societal preferences for different landscapes as measured by components. Although such an approach purposely ignores evaluating human reaction or response to landscape, such responses and the resulting preferences must be measured alongside and compared with the results of component techniques. It is not the in- tention to develop new techniques, rather to refine existing techniques by analysing the types of com- ponents used in these techniques and suggesting a check list of components which should form the basis for a component approach

Business · Component (thermodynamics · Data science · Environmental resource management · Epistemology · Identification (biology · Management science · Objectivity (philosophy · Perception · Quality (philosophy · Risk analysis (engineering · Computer Science · Ecology · Engineering · Environmental Science · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Heat Island Mitigation

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