Scenic Landscape Research Articles

The Promotion of Cultural Tourism in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh: An Evolution of Accommodation Facilities and Tourists Arrivals

The Lower Subansiri district is one of the oldest district of Arunachal Pradesh with an area of about 3460 sq.km andabout 83,030 population (2011) spreading in 536 villages. Geographically, it is an undulating terrain, altitude variesfrom place to place. The greater part of it falls within the higher mountain zone consisting of tangled peaks andenthralling valleys. The district is lying approximately between 26°55’ to 28°21’ N of latitudes, and 92° 40’ to 94°21’ E of longitudes. The name of the district derived from the Subansiri River, a tributary of mighty Brahmaputra.The district is rich in natural as well as cultural aspects. Nature has nurtured and groomed the district in the form ofsuperb scenery of majestic mountainous landscape, inter-montane plateau and wonderful sights of colourful tribalcultures which attracts the tourists from within and outside the country. Thus, there lie possibilities for promotingcultural tourism. Cultural tourism is one dimension of such development which can provide benefit to local peopleboth financially and socially. But certain regulatory constraints, lack of basic infrastructure as well as trainedmanpower hindering the development of the tourism in the distict. Through this paper an attempt has been made toexamine the trend of tourist flow and changes in accommodation facilities as a result of promoting cultural tourismbased on field investigation and documentation.

風景を喚起させる空間インスタレーション論 : 鑑賞者を包みこむ環境芸術 その1

風景を喚起させる空間インスタレーション論 : 鑑賞者を包みこむ環境芸術 その1

ІСТОРІЯ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ПРИРОДНОЇ ТА КУЛЬТУРНОЇ СПАДЩИНИ УКРАЇНСЬКИХ КАРПАТ У ТУРИЗМІ

The article analyzes the history and prospects of using the natural and historical-cultural heritage of the Ukrainian Carpathians region (Transcarpathia, Galicia) in the domestic tourism industry. The author concluded that the rich tourist and recreational potential located in the Carpathian region and geographically encompassing Lviv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions, in conjunction with the tourism infrastructure based on natural mineral water sources, scenic landscapes and historical and cultural monuments, has all the grounds for the development of tourism industry in the country. In the article general scientific and special scientific methods of research are used: the analysis method, synthesis, dialectical method, historicism method, historical-chronological method, etc. In particular, when writing a paper, the author preferred to use historical methods.Carpathian Mountains are considered to be the Green Pearl of Ukraine. It is one of the most popular resorts and tourist centers of the country. A beautiful mix of natural areas, forests, meadows, shepherds and humans living in harmony with nature is what makes the mountains so atractive to tourists. An original nature of territory, beauty of its Alpine meadows and woods, rough rivers and mountain lakes, soft climate, curative mineral sources, the historical and architectural monuments can attract everyone to themselves. Thousands of tourists and people who like travels and adventures come here. The Ukrainian Carpathians are relatively gentle peaks that rise as high as 2061 m (Mt. Hoverla). The largest resorts are located in Slavsko, Bukovel, Tysovets, and Dragobrat. Some of the smaller resorts are in Krasiya, Dolyna, Beskid, Polyana, Synevir, Yaremche, Verkhovnya, Kosiv, and Yavoriv.Movable borders between countries and empires have been running through the region for millennia. Therefore, every historic period left its mark on the cultural tradition and the appearance of cities. In the 12th century a powerful state, the Galicia-Volyn principality, often mentioned in ancient European chronicles times, was formed here.The principality was fighting for its territories with Poland, Hungary and Tatars-Mongols. The papal legate crowned the prince Danylo and later his grandson Yuri. Danylo’s son Roman was married to a daughter of the Austrian duke from the Bubenbergs dynasty and even had pretensions on the Austrian throne. But the attempt was not successful and after that the Habsburg Dynasty strengthened its’ position in Austria. During the reign of the Habsburgs monarchy, the largest cities of the area among which are Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Uzhgorod, Chernivtsi and many others took on the look of typical European cities.The Carpathian region managed to preserve a great number of defense constructions and palaces witnessing a great deal of historical upheavals. Here you can visit numerous castles from the 11th-17th centuries, which in different eras were owned by Polish, Austro-Hungarians, Lithuanians and Russians. Since some of the castles are associated with the life of several Polish magnates, we offer you to have a trip to the Middle Ages during your stay in the Ukrainian Carpathians.

Study on ecological conservation planning of Xianyue Park in Xiamen City, China

The paper discusses the current situation and existing problems of ecological restoration and tourist infrastructure development of Xiamen Xianyue Park located in Xiamen Island, China. Issues of ecosystem restoration and landscape improvement, restoring habitats, and ecosystem management system are analyzed. Options of further optimization of the tourist-targeted infrastructure are proposed, which take into account the ecological system and landscape pattern optimization, promotion of ecotourism, and implementation of the ecological management system. The particular solution envisages the park zoning with three primary zones (ecological protection, ecological buffer, and general activity zones) and five secondary ones (scenic landscape, ecotourism, religious activity, buildings and structures, and entertainment zones). By integrating the ecological principles into other land use objectives, taking full advantage of the park ecological and cultural heritage, and improving its ecological management, it is expected to provide the ecological restoration of the park under study and optimize its contribution to the regional economic and social development.

Designing an integrated urban growth prediction model: a scenario-based approach for preserving scenic landscapes

This study demonstrates the integration of landscape aesthetic quality and probable urban growth patterns in urban landscape modelling. This was performed using SLEUTH as a scenario-based urban growth model in Gorgan City of Iran. Future urbanization was predicted under developing three different scenarios including historical, managed and aesthetically sound urban growth up to the year 2030. Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network model was conducted for mapping the aesthetic suitability of the study area. The aesthetic suitability layer was used in the third scenario of SLEUTH model as the excluded layer to protect the scenic patches in future. The results showed that by correct implementation of urban growth policies, 323 ha in the second scenario and 650 ha in the third scenario would be saved. This integrated model would help the planners for a better management of urban landscapes as a Spatial Decision Support System.

Glacial-geomorphic study of the Thajwas glacier valley, Kashmir Himalayas, India

Glacial-geomorphic studies provide vital information to make inferences about the effect of glacial advance and retreat on the geomorphology of an area. In the present study, glacial-geomorphic landforms of the Thajwas glacial valley in the upper reaches of the Indus, Kashmir Himalayas were mapped using geospatial technology validated with GPS-based field observations and ground photography. The glacial-geomorphic landforms were digitized using ASTER DEM (30 m resolution), Landsat ETM+ satellite imagery (30 m resolution) and Google Earth (1 m resolution) data. Results showed that Google Earth imagery, supported by field validation, is very useful for the interpretation of glacial-geomorphic landscapes and relief features at micro- and meso-scales. However, morphometric characteristics of landforms are best obtained using DEM overlaid onto the Landsat ETM+ satellite data. Glaciers in the valley are presently confined along the south and southwestern slopes. However, the significant role played by glaciers in shaping the geomorphic landforms and their subsequent preservation within the scenic landscape under the Late Quaternary climatic conditions are remarkably evident. The glacial-geomorphic landforms, especially terminal moraine, glacial trough and cirques observed in the valley aided the reconstruction of palaeo-glacial setting of the area. Morphology, shape and location of terminal and lateral moraine ridges were used to establish the palaeo-glacial extents, glacial volume and the number of glacial advances of the Thajwas glacier. The maximum elevation of the lateral moraines was used to define the former Equilibrium-Line Altitude (ELA). The greater rock excavation to form a large valley during the last glacial maximum might have induced isostatic rock uplift/exhumation in the glacier source area. It is observed that the concomitant retreat of the north-facing glacial cirques has played an important role in expanding the glacial valley and limiting the topographic relief.

Scenic landscapes, visual accessibility and premium values in a single family housing market: A spatial hedonic approach

This article uses a hedonic modelling approach to assess the implicit willingness to pay for the visual accessibility of voluntarily protected, privately owned, scenic lands based on single family houses. These lands are perpetually protected to preserve natural, historic, and scenic characteristics. The capitalized house premium was captured using a visual accessibility variable, which was a combined weighted measure of ‘view’ and ‘proximity,’ referred to here as the Gravity Inspired Visibility Index. Both global ( adjusted R2 = 0.52, AICc = 29,828) and geographically weighted regression models ( adjusted R2 = 0.59, AICc = 29,729) estimated the price effect but the geographically weighted regression model outperformed the global model. The results from the geographically weighted regression model indicated an average 3.4% price premium on the mean value of homes in the study area. The paper offers a useful framework for evaluating the effect of land protection for planning and real estate purposes. It also offers useful insights for conservation agencies, local governments, professional planners, and real estate professionals for prioritizing land sites with scenic views.

Transcendent Space, Reactionary-Modernism and the “Diabolic” Sublime: Walter Christaller, Edgar Kant, and Geography’s Origins as a Modern Spatial Science

To show how the reactionary and modern were linked in the genesis of geography as a modern spatial science, this article traces the ideas and practice of two of the twentieth-century founders of spatial science, Walter Christaller and Edgar Kant, back to the origins of modernity in the Renaissance, when the “duplicitous” and “diabolic” cartographic space of the scenic landscape was constructed. Through this reexamination of the history of geography it is argued that Christaller’s Nazism and Kant’s “anthropo-ecological” theories must be understood against the cartographic background of a nationalization of space that created a problematic situation for the Eastern European German diaspora, with its medieval and Enlightenment era origins, and that continues to create conflicts for other diasporic minorities in other parts of the world where nationalism is still on the march. This study also reexamines the concepts of geographical determinism, possibilism and Lebensraum.

The dynamics between tourism and environment in Uttarakhand: A diagnostic analysis

The hill state of Uttarakhand was carved out of the northern Himalyan, Bhabhar and Terai areas of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000. Of the total area of the state, 86 per cent is mountains and 65 per cent is covered by forests, making it one of the richest regions in terms of biodiversity. Uttarakhand is known as devbhoomi or ‘abode of gods’ because of its temples and places of pilgrimage. The state is endowed with rich flora and fauna, beautiful lakes, hill resorts and mountain peaks. The scenic landscape of the region makes Uttarakhand an attractive tourist destination, which has made tourism the mainstay of the state's economy. However, the revenue inflow, through tourism, has come with its own cost in terms of affecting the environment adversely. Through this paper, an attempt has been made to study the dynamics between tourism and environment in Uttarakand, to assess the impact of environment on tourism and vice versa. This paper is based upon field work and content analysis. The nature of the research is qualitative, the methods used are descriptive and diagnostic, and the tools implemented are observation and interview. The purpose of the study is to suggest measures for bringing about a harmonious growth by maintaining Uttarakhand as an attractive tourist destination without compromising with the sensitive natural environment of the state.

Geese, Elves, and the Duplicitous, “Diabolical” Landscaped Space of Reactionary Modernism: The Case of Holgersson, Hägerstrand, and Lorenz

Reactionary modernism is identified with Nazism, but modernism itself often has a reactionary dimension, which arguably can be traced partially back to the Renaissance construction of the modern map and, from it, perspectival, scenic landscape. The perspectival space of scenic landscape characteristically creates a dialectical hybrid consisting of, on the one hand, an invisible, lawful, geometric spatial framework expressing a modern scientific rationality, and on the other hand, a visible and holistic, but illusory visual scene of organic nature, place, and community appealing to reactionary affect, nostalgia, and emotion. This “duplicitous” dialectic can be termed “diabolic” as opposed to “symbolic.” The construction and consequences of this hybrid are illustrated by how Selma Lagerlöf’s Swedish geography reader cum children’s story, The Wonderful Adventures of Nils Holgersson, affected the modernism of Torsten Hägerstrand’s time-geographical spatial science and the reactionary modernism of Konrad Lorenz’s Nazi biology, and by extension contemporary rewilding.

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.

Contingent valuation of scenic lakes

This note aims to demonstrate an effect of environmental concerns and other-regarding preferences on individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental goods. We investigate the hypothesis that these important attributes are closely related to WTP. The results show that both pro-social behavior and trust, as represented by psychological scale measurements, have significant positive impacts on WTP: the more pro-social and trusting people are, the more willing they are to support the preservation of scenic lake landscapes. In contrast, environmental awareness, represented by an environmental issues test score, has little influence on WTP.

Linguistic Landscape and Space: A Multimodal Analysis of Linguistic landscape in Robot Open Space

The paper examines the linguistic landscape in an indoor public place, Robot Open Space in Zhongguancun Dream Laboratory, which is a building housing a handful of innovative entrepreneurial enterprises. The subject of analysis in this present paper is the impact of different spaces on the features of linguistic landscape. Each of the three major sub-spaces in the company Robot Open Space has different functions and the linguistic landscape with its different features varies accordingly. This present study has the following contributions. First, the shift of analytical attention from the outdoor linguistic landscape to the indoor linguistic landscape provides a new angle for LL analysis and further expands the scenery of linguistic landscape. Then, the newly establish analytical framework, the “multimodal model for linguistic landscape analysis” enrich the current theoretical models that is quite rare. Last, the qualitative analysis of the linguistic landscapes in different spaces shed light on the correlation between space and linguistic landscape, indicating that space is an integral factor to be considered when it comes to LL analysis.

Exploring the Characteristics of scenic landscapes of between the Dulle-gil and the uphill trail in Bukhansan National Park

Exploring the Characteristics of scenic landscapes of between the Dulle-gil and the uphill trail in Bukhansan National Park

Coppice Woods and Pollard Trees in the Visual Arts

Abstract The sprouting capacity of some broadleaves has been used for their regeneration since ancient times. Often concurrently with taking advantage of sprouting stools, the trees used to be shaped also by pruning their stems, namely on pasturelands and in grazing forests. The activity of woodcutters and shepherds was obviously rather common in warmer climates with broadleaved stands because coppice and pollard trees appear relatively often in the visual arts from ancient works through the period if the Italian and German Renaissance up to the romantic and realistic landscape painting of the 19th century overlapping into the 20th century. For centuries, most frequently illustrated in European and Czech paintings have been pollard willows (Salix spp.). Other coppice and pollard tree species identified in paintings are oaks (Quercus spp.), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), European beech (Fagus sylvatica), European chestnut (Castanea sativa), and rarely other species, too. Artists apparently often used bizarrely shaped woods to increase the dramatic atmosphere of their landscape sceneries as well as figural compositions, and the coppice and pollard trees had certainly also a symbolic meaning in some of their works.

Biodiversity conservation status in China's growing protected areas

The past 40years witnessed a boom of protected areas (PAs) in China. To date, China has established 11 types of PAs, whose conservation objectives vary from protecting biodiversity and geological features, preserving scenic landscapes and seascapes, to restoring and maintaining ecosystem services. Covering over 17% of the land and 3.5% of the marine territory of China, the PAs have had beneficial effects on conservation in this country. However, the success of these PAs is largely restricted by ecological gaps in PA structure, defects of the management system, and is also negatively influenced by local development and urbanization driven by a growing economy. To improve the conservation efficiency of China's PAs, we suggest structural adjustment based on integrative research, practical strategies to alleviate administrative conflicts, increased engagement of local communities, transparent allocation of conservation funding, strengthened supervision and penalty mechanisms for destructive activities, and improved large-scale designation to coordinate demands of conservation and socioeconomic development.

Customary Management System of Irrigation Ponds in Japan-a Study in a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Site of Noto Island, Ishikawa Prefecture

Abstract: Recent research has showed increasing interest at the vital role of irrigation ponds that plays at biodiversity conservation, and provides ecological functions at a wide range. However, many irrigation ponds were abolished due to the economic and societal transformation in the rural. In particular, small-scale ponds were abolished and rebuilt to other public uses based on the consensus building process among the community. At the same time, civil organizations also launched initiatives to conserve irrigation ponds for its ecological significance or landscape scenery. However, study pertinent to the small scale ponds in the rural setting is largely neglected. This research aims at revealing the current situation of the utilization and management of small irrigation ponds using a case study of Noto Island in Ishikawa Prefecture. It was found that irrigation ponds are still under the traditional co-management of rural community. The most important finding in this study is that the traditional manag...

Fishing Tourism can Support Fisher’s Livelihood and Fish Conservation in Nepal: A Value Chain Analysis

Fishing tourism of recreational fisheries is a multibillion dollar outdoor activity. The fishing tourism in Nepal is yet to be systematized. Focusing on this need, the present paper attempts to pioneer how recreational fisheries in Nepal could be useful having commendable world renounced fish resources, luring pristine and suitable scenic landscapes for promoting fishing tourism. It is argued that fishing tourism should be systematically regularized and practiced in close collaboration with traditional ethnic fisher communities. Considering the potentiality, we elucidate the result of value chain analysis, arguing that promotion and streamlining of fishing tourism along with the traditional fishers could generate immense livelihood opportunities for resilience along with fish conservation. The value chain analysis showed that livelihood of fishers communities are likely to be enhanced by involving in fishing based tourism support services with fewer fishing activities, which in turn could be supportive to fish conservation. The present modality of promoting and systematizing fishing tourism might have implication to address the issues of poverty alleviation and resilience to fish conservation in many developing countries having similar socio-economic and agro ecological setups in Nepal. HYDRO Nepal Journal of Water Energy and EnvironmentVolume- 18, 2016, JanuaryPage -55 to 60

Waves, rings, and trails: The scenic landscape of axonal actin.

The goal of this article is to provide the reader a snapshot of recent studies on axonal actin—largely emerging from superresolution and live-imaging experiments—and place this new information in context with earlier studies.

Debatable Peaks and Contested Valleys: Englishness and the Dolomite Landscape Scenery

ABSTRACTThe toponym “Dolomites” qualifies a mountainous region in the north-east of Italy, located at the cultural and political frontier with Austria. They represent a unique borderland marked by competing ethnic and cultural divides, which are subtly obscured by their inclusion onto the World Heritage List (2009) and by the role they play within a globalized heritage of natural sites. It is the external voice of the first English travelers to the region during the 19th century that UNESCO has identified as central in initiating the promotion of the Dolomites’ status as geologically and aesthetically unique. Travelers to the Dolomites first appropriated the “bizarre” shapes of their mountain forms by attaching them to an utterly English gaze reflecting a particular “way of seeing” a landscape. In their “invention” of the Dolomites, Victorians elevated their peaks to a sublime abstraction of aesthetic “space,” while reducing their valleys to a cultural “place” in which life was enacted picturesquely. In charting this history, this paper asks how, why and to what extent this foreign voice contributed to overshadow the historically contested narratives of this region by transforming it into a “neutral” set of aestheticized English landscape symbols.