USING REMOTELY-SENSED DATA IN LANDSCAPE VISUAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using remote sensing in the assessment of landscape visual quality. Remotely sensed data, together with a digital elevation model, are used to replicate an earlier, traditional study. Comparisons are drawn between the two studies at each of two phases. In Stage 1, the data are used to delineate homogeneous landscape units, which previously were defined using manual overlay mapping techniques and field checking. In Stage 2, new methods for assessing the visual assessment criteria are developed so that they can be measured and scored by computer analysis of the satellite information and the digital elevation model rather than extensive fieldwork. In addition, this project demonstrates that considerable savings in time can be achieved using this approach.