Methodological approaches to assessment of aesthetic properties of landscapes

Abstract

Aesthetic properties are important characteristics of any territory. Currently, there are quite a few methodological developments for evaluating the aesthetic properties of landscapes. Conventionally, they can be divided into traditional assessment methods, where the assessment is based solely on fi surveys, and the other - those based on modern approach, in which fi ld research is supplemented by GIS technologies. In turn, fi surveys are highly labor-intensive and, as a result, are usually carried out for small key areas or individual routes. With the introduction of GIS and remote sensing data (RSD) of high spatial resolution, it became possible without much diffi to assess many indicators of the aesthetic attractiveness of landscapes. This article is devoted to an overview of development of modern methodological approaches to assessing the aesthetic properties of landscapes. The paper opens with historic review of the aesthetic studies of landscapes, then discusses theoretical questions such as the defi of the concept of “aesthetics of the landscape” and the exploration of aesthetic perception and, fi ally, presents a case study of application of GIS technologies for aesthetic evaluation of landscapes.