Scenic Beauty Estimation Method Research Articles

A method for evaluating the visual quality of wetland park landscapes: a case study of qianlu lake wetland park in Wuping, China

Wetland parks are an important part of urban ecosystems, characterized by artificial and natural features. While providing outdoor recreational space for urban residents, the aesthetics of the landscape also affect residents’ willingness to visit the wetland park. Previous studies of wetland parks focused on the ecological benefit. However, fewer systematic studies analyzed the aesthetic qualities and influencing elements of wetland parks. In this study, the Wuping Qianlu Lake Wetland Park in Fujian Province, China was used to evaluate the landscape visual quality of the wetland park using the the Scenic Beauty Estimation method (SBE), and the landscape features of the wetland park were obtained through the Semantic Differential (SD) method and semantic segmentation technique. The regression model of landscape visual quality and landscape features in wetland parks was established using SBE values as the dependent variable, and 23 landscape features as independent variables. The SBE values and accessibility were also combined to create four quadrants, which were combined with K-means clustering to diagnose existing problems. The results of the study showed that two landscape features, approach and proportion of water area were weaker among the four types of wetland park landscapes. The SBE values of the man-made landscape type were the most significant. Meanwhile, the high enclosure landscape type had a significant sense of rusticity, accentuating the wildness of the plants. It was less aesthetically pleasing and had the poorest landscape visual quality of the four types. This study provides a systematic method for diagnosing landscape problems in wetland parks, evaluating landscape visual quality assessment, and providing theoretical and technical support for urban wetland park renewal and construction.

Landscape evaluation of a residential plant community based on the scenic beauty estimation method

In Wenzhou City, located in Zhejiang Province, 100 plant communities were selected as evaluation samples, and the scenic beauty estimation (SBE) method was used to evaluate the degree of beauty. The semantic difference (SD) analysis method was selected to evaluate landscape characteristics. In the SBE method, plant growth, sense of hierarchy, landscape diversity and colour richness were used as the evaluation factors. A total of 140 professional and non-professional groups evaluated the 100 landscape samples. In the SD method, ten adjective pairs were selected as the evaluation criteria for the landscape features in the study. This research indicates that the SBE values of the professional and non-professional groups are strongly correlated. The non-professional group is more volatile and unstable. Professional evaluations of the plant community’s aesthetic value typically include considerations of elements such as plant growth, hierarchy, diversity of landscape and colour richness. In the evaluation of the landscape diversity, hierarchy, colour richness and plant growth, through the SD landscape analysis, the evaluators were able to conduct a correlation analysis of the landscape characteristics and quality of the green plant landscape. This is to find out what landscape features have the most significant impact on landscape quality.

Analysis of landscape influencing factors of urban waterfront greenways based on the scenic beauty estimation method, taking Tongjian Lake in Hangzhou as an example

In order to assess the unique beauty of Tongjian Lake in Hangzhou, 80 sample photographs were selected for landscape beauty degree assessment using the Scenic Beauty Estimation method. The 14 characteristic influencing factors of landscape photos were extracted according to the Scenic Beauty Estimation value, and the influencing factors with insignificant differences and small bias correlation coefficients were eliminated through multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that the main factors affecting the expression of the beauty of Tongjian Lake were water ecology, greenway morphology, landscape openness, water area ratio, vegetation color richness, and vignette matching. Combining the abovementioned analysis results, the two-dimensional plan, isometric map, and three-dimensional space are combined to show the main factors in a visual way, and on this basis, the corresponding optimization strategy is proposed. It provides a reference for future urban waterfront greenway landscape creation.

Visual Evaluation of Park Landscape Based on SBE and Eye Tracking

In the field of landscape visual aesthetic evaluation, the SBE (Scenic Beauty Estimation) method is the main way for researchers of the psychophysical school. It obtains evaluation results by having evaluators observe photographs and rate landscape objects using uniform evaluation criteria, and is currently recognized as one of the better methods for landscape evaluation. Meanwhile, eye-tracking technique is another experimental technique that has been applied to landscape evaluation by researchers in recent years with many results. In this study, we take photos of environmental spaces taken in Jinan city park in China as landscape aesthetic evaluation objects, and use SBE method and eye tracking analysis method to conduct experiments respectively. On the one hand, we explore the SBE value of various environmental spaces in Jinan city park, and on the other hand, we conduct eye tracking experiments for the same subject scenes and obtain data (AOI area ratio, Fixation count, Fixation and Saccade duration). The correlation between SBE values and eye-tracking data and the analysis of eye-tracking heat maps were then carried out to investigate the relationship between the subjective aesthetic evaluation and the objective eye-tracking data. The following conclusions were reached: SBE values were significantly and positively correlated with the main indicators of eye-tracking; Naturalness, Spatiality and Visual interest points were the three key factors in the visual evaluation of the park landscape.

On the relation between visual quality and landscape characteristics: a case study application to the waterfront linear parks in Shenyang, China

In recent years, Chinese cities have begun to pay attention to their rivers, and a large number of waterfront linear parks have been built in the riverside areas, so that the public can easily enjoy their landscape and entertainment functions. In this study, the visual quality of the waterfront trails and the greenbelt trails in the Waterfront linear Park around the Hunhe river in Shenyang was evaluated the basis of the Scenic Beauty Estimation Method and Semantic Differential Method, and the principal components of the landscape characteristics were extracted and a regression model of the visual quality and the landscape characteristics was established. Results show that the natural feature and the formal feature have a positive influence on the visual quality in waterfront linear parks, and the man-made feature has a negative impact on the visual quality. The six landscape characteristics are Sense of seclusion, ecology, intactness, uniqueness, unity and vitality, which are the main factors which affect the visual quality. This study puts forward improvement measures for the waterfront trails and the greenbelt trails, and the results can be applied to the planning, construction, and management of waterfront linear parks.

Assessment of landscape resource using the scenic beauty estimation method at compound ecological system.

Landscape resource assessment of compound ecological system is the basic condition for planning various management activities. After field survey and obtaining landscape photos of the Badaling region, we built the evaluation system of landscape resources. Then, we recruited people to evaluate the indicators of different scenic spots with evaluation system and overall evaluation by scenic beauty estimation method (SBE). The results showed that A01 and A05 gave a good impression to tourists from the point of view of scenic spots. Judging from the evaluation indicators, the entire region had a high score in geological landscape, while some of the scenic spots had low scores in humanity landscape. Overall evaluation has better practicability for the area with better landscape. The two evaluation methods are consistent in evaluating good landscape by SBE, through analyzing the main reasons for the differences in evaluation. The results and methodology can benefit landscape resource assessments as well as provide support on planning and management for compound ecological system.

Visual landscape analysis of coastal tourism potential in Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Indonesia

The coastal area is one of the strategic resources, since it is a transitional area between the ocean and land ecosystem. As a region having high potential of natural resources and environmental services, a variety of interests rests on it, so that many parties are interested in managing and regulating its use, one of which is as an area which attracts tourists. At present, Indonesia has the UNESCO Global Geopark in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu. The area has potential which must be utilized properly for the welfare of the community. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of the land which would potentially be developed. This study aims to (1) analyze the land suitability in terms of tourism; (2) assess the scenery of the coastal tourism landscape in the area of Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu. The method used was the Geographic Information System (GIS) method using survey technique. The GIS method has two main functions: the ability to identify data (query) and analysis. Data query can connect between spatial data and attribute data. The query function on spatial data is in terms of data/location search and overlay of several maps. The approach in assessing the aesthetic quality of the landscape used the SBE (Scenic Beauty Estimation) method. The result showed that there were 12 objects found in Ciemas Subdistrict which consisted of attraction points, waterfall, and beach. Based on the SBE assessment, each category, namely low, medium and high, had the same number of objects, namely 4 objects. The result of the assessment of the beauty index of the landscape was expected to be a consideration in the development of new tourism objects in the area of UNESCO Global Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu.

Evaluation of the Garden Road Landscape of the Classical Gardens – Taking the Classical Gardens in Hangzhou as Example

The garden road is an important element in the garden. Its aesthetic value directly affects the comprehensive value of the whole landscape. In order to explore a better evaluation model and to improve the landscape, the study uses Scenic Beauty Estimation method (referred as SBE method) and multiple linear regression comprehensive analysis to conduct the scenic beauty evaluation of the photographs of the Hangzhou classical garden road landscape. It has extracted 19 landscape elements to analyse and build predictive models. This helped to extract factors that affect the road views, summarize garden road building technologies, including plant arrangement, material selection, form building and other construction techniques, and thus provide a theoretical basis for garden road landscape construction.

Assessment of Aesthetic Quality on Soil and Water Conservation Engineering Using the Scenic Beauty Estimation Method

Taiwan has rich natural landscapes, but the sensitive geology and concentrated rainfall have resulted in frequent sediment hazards. Thus, various stream control works are established in watersheds to secure midstream and downstream citizens’ lives and properties. Taking care of slope safety and natural landscapes has become a primary issue for soil and water conservation engineering. The scenic preference beauty estimation method (SBE) in psychophysics, which was proposed by Daniel and Boster in 1976, is utilized herein to evaluate the scenic aesthetics of stream control engineering in watersheds. It aims to discuss various landscape factors (water body, vegetation) in the aesthetic preference and differences of various artificial structures in a watershed under people’s psychology. First, pictures and images related to soil and water conservation engineering are collected, and an in-situ investigation is performed to determine the pictures and images for discussion and design of the relevant questionnaire. The scenic aesthetics evaluation results are standardized with RMRATE, a computer program for analyzing rating judgments, of the United States Department of Agriculture, and then transformed into SBE values to compare the difference of various engineering structures in scenic aesthetics. The results reveal that flowing waterscape elements and the coverage of vegetation on the surrounding artificial structure volume in images present positive effects on the public overall scenic aesthetics. This study is expected to provide engineering designers with reference for considering a design integrating engineering structure with natural landscapes.

Evaluation of Aesthetic Function and Thermal Modification of Vertical Greenery at Bogor City, Indonesia

Bogor city currently develops vertical greenery due to counter the decreasing of green space quantity. Vertical greenery is a planting method using vertical structure similar to retaining walls. There are some benefits of vertical greenery, such as providing aesthetics value of the landscape, to protect from the heat, to reduce noise, and to reduce pollution. The purpose of this study were to identify thermal modification by vertical greenery in Bogor city, to assess the aesthetics value from vertical greenery, and to provide a recommendation in attempt to manage and improve the quality of vertical greenery in Bogor city. The study was conducted using Scenic Beauty Estimation method, and was done by providing questionnaires to the respondents in order to assess the aesthetics value of vertical greenery. Infrared thermometer was also used to measure the surface’s temperature to evaluate thermal modification function of the vertical greenery. The result of study proved that vertical greenery in the Bogor city has considerably good aesthetic. It also showed that there is a decreasing in surface temperature of the vertical greenery structure.

Assessing the Visual Quality of Urban Landscapes Influenced by the Presence of Fruit Trees

The study was carried out to investigate the visual impact of using fruit trees in urban landscapes by applying the Scenic Beauty Estimation Method (SBE). Thirty students from the Faculty of Horticulture were asked to assign scenic beauty values to different landscapes with and without the presence of fruit trees in urban areas. The results show that fruit trees have positive influences on the aesthetic value of perceived landscape scenery.

Dendrological and landscape evaluation of the rural park Borek (Lublin province)

Abstract This article presents the results of my research conducted in the rural park Borek, which is located in Gardzienice Drugie, Lublin province. The study was comprised of measuring the dendrological value of the park using the Rokosza method and determining the landscape’s aesthetic value using the scenic beauty estimation (SBE) method. In order to establish the dendrological and aesthetic values, the park was divided into four sections, which were then compared with each other. It has been shown earlier that results of the scenic beauty estimation method and the dendrological value are only weakly correlated when it comes to park landscapes. It is therefore advisable to test the value of parks, in both categories, dendrological and aesthetic. This approach could form the basis for the development of a new method to classify and evaluate park landscapes.

Potensi Wisata Alam Di Pematang Tanggang Desa Negeri Kecamatan Kelumbayan Kabupaten Tanggamus

Pematang tanggang has a lot of potential tourism resources. Hawever there is no sufficient information about the aspects supporting the area to be developed as a tourist destination. The aims of the study were to examine the potential and natural touristic attraction in pematang tanggang, and to calculate the beauty value of those potential. Direct observation and interview were employed as the data collection methods, accidental sampling was used as the respondent determined. Scenic beauty estimation and descriptive analysis were emplayed as data analysis method. The results of the study shows that the potential and the natural touristic attraction in Pematang Tanggang are; Tanggang waterfall, Payung waterfall, view to the Lampung bay , and wolf tree. Activities could be done are encamped, photography, bird watching, primate watching, and rock climbing. Based on the scenic beauty estimation method the value of potential and natural touristic attraction in Pematang Tanggang from the higest to the are; Tanggang waterfall (33), Payung waterfall (20), view to the Lampung bay (4), and wolf tree (0). Keywords : nature potential, Pematang Tanggang, scenic beauty estimation

The effects of an advanced traveler information system on scenic beauty ratings and the enjoyment of a recreational drive

Accurately measuring scenic beauty has been the objective of many researchers since the mid 1970s. The scenic beauty estimation method ( Daniel and Boster, 1976) and its experimental procedures have been used extensively to establish relationships between a number of factors and respondents ratings of the scenic beauty of a variety of landscape stimuli, mostly photographs. This paper documents how landscape narrative information, presented in a driving simulator based laboratory setting caused significant elevations in scenic beauty ratings. In this study, geographic data sets were used to create a real time documentary style narrative for an entertainment-oriented advanced traveler information system or ATIS ( Campbell et al., 1999) interface developed in the IDEA laboratory at the University of British Columbia. This narrative was designed as a factual yet entertaining story about the many fascinating aspects of the natural world present on either side of a 60 km section of the sea to sky highway (the “route”) in British Columbia, Canada. Ratings of scenic beauty and driving experience were obtained for three different modes of delivery of this information and were compared to ratings obtained from a control condition. Reported scenic beauty and driving experience ratings for each of the three delivery modes were significantly higher than those in the control condition. Furthermore, the magnitude of these elevations was found to be highest in areas of low scenic beauty and poor driving experience.

The aesthetics of white pine and red pine forests

Aesthetic values of the forest in northeastern Ontario were determined with the Scenic Beauty Estimation Method, which relates psychometric analysis with quantitative forest stand characteristics. Results indicate high agreement for scenic beauty between environmental groups and other public groups, but less agreement between either of these and resource managers. In predominently coniferous forests, hardwoods (especially aspen) contribute to scenic beauty, and respondents prefer mature open stands over younger and denser ones. Linking people's aesthetic evaluations to physical stand characteristics may provide valuable insights for forest management purposes. Key words: Forest aesthetics, user preferences, white pine, red pine, scenic beauty

Visual Preferences in Enclosed Urban Spaces

Few design approaches have utilized scientific methods in dealing with aesthetic and visual factors. In an attempt to explore a scientific approach to environmental design, the relationship between visual preference and ratio variables in enclosed spaces on the Virginia Tech campus was investigated. Visual preference of enclosed spaces was measured by the Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) method. The SBE method was found to be reliable and valid in urban enclosed spaces. This study suggests that visual quality of an enclosed urban place can be predicted from the linear combination of three ratio variables-ground slope, height ratio, and vegetation coverage. The prediction model can be used as an heuristic or analytic tool for design practice.

The prediction of scenic beauty from landscape content and composition

Two studies were conducted to examine distance classes of vegetation (foreground, middleground and background) and scene composition (presence of vegetation in left, center or right section of the image) as predictors of perceived scenic beauty. In study one, 41 students rated 63 landscape scenes with regard to scenic beauty. The Scenic Beauty Estimation Method was used to derive interval scale beauty values (SBEs). For each landscape image, areal measures of vegetation in each distance class and for each vertical section were taken and used as predictors. Presence of haze, clouds and human impacts were also recorded. Among the most important contributors to scenic beauty were amount of center middleground vegetation, and center background vegetation. Left foreground vegetation and right foreground vegetation were found to have significant and opposing regression weight signs—negative for the left and positive for the right. Study two was conducted to determine whether these opposing regression weight signs for foreground vegetation were due to a perceptual right-left bias or to some specific content in the image itself. In the second study, the photographic slides used to present landscape scenes to subjects were reversed so that the content which was previously on the right was now left, and vice versa. Thirty-nine students rated the reversed slides with regard to their scenic beauty. The signs of the regression weights in study two shifted such that left foreground was now positively valued and right foreground was negatively valued. This finding suggests that viewers are sensitive to foreground content and its placement in the image, and not simply to one side of the field of vision.