Determining recreational, scenic, and historical–cultural potentials of landscape features along a segment of the ancient Silk Road using factor analyzing

Abstract

Generally, roads are structures connecting areas of special importance to each other (e.g., from urban areas to villages). In addition to functioning as transportation mediums, roads have aesthetic qualities by means of their recreational, scenic, and cultural functions. One of these unexplored roads, the Trabzon-Gümüşhane old state highway in the Northeast Turkey, the subject of this study, is quite unique for being a part of the historical Silk Road. The aim of the study is to determine the recreational, scenic, and cultural potentials of this road and to identify the landscape qualities based on these potentials. After dividing the road into three sections for comparison purposes, data gathered from basic digital maps obtained from The General Directorate of Rural Services (the governmental agency that is responsible for producing such digital maps) and field trips were entered into maps using geographic information system followed by creating demonstration films using photographs and video camera images of the natural and cultural characteristics of the area. Then, these films were evaluated by an expert team to identify the road's recreational, scenic, and cultural potentials. The results of the evaluation process, the relationships between determined landscape characteristics for each function, and the contribution scores of different functions assigned for the artificial features were statistically analyzed. The analyses showed a very strong relationship between the sections and the contribution scores of the recreation and the scenic functions. The results of these analyses also revealed some landscape characteristics having high contribution values for all the functions. This, in turn, helped in determining a potential of the study area to become a greenway.

The Relationships between Perceived Design Intensity, Preference, Restorativeness and Eye Movements in Designed Urban Green Space

“…Landscape design intensity was regarded as relative to preference because it has been found to be significantly related to visual aesthetic quality [22]. Landscapes with proper design intensity may improve visual aesthetic quality, thereby promoting recreational activities, attracting tourists [23] and contributing to human mental health [24]. Xu et al demonstrated that people prefer natural or restored landscapes with moderate levels of design intensity [22].…”

Linking Ecosystem Services to Social Well-Being: An Approach to Assess Land Degradation

“…Aesthetic landscapes form a significant part of a community's cultural heritage (Jessel, 2006). An ecosystem with a high aesthetic value has a significant impact on social well-being (Kurdoglu and Kurdoglu, 2010). When people have a positive experience of an ecosystem aesthetic, they are more inclined to protect it against degradation (Gobster et al, 2007).…”

Rural identity and landscape aesthetics in exurbia: Some issues to resolve from a Central European perspective

“…Although these studies mostly focus on the landscape outside settlements, their results may be indicative of the values of aesthetic quality in rural and exurban landscapes. Kates (1967), Kurdoglu and Kurdoglu (2010) and Tveit (2009) maintain that an aesthetically valuable environment has a significant impact on people's well-being. According to Jessel (2006), the aesthetic quality of landscapes forms a substantial part of the cultural heritage.…”