Descriptive Approaches to Landscape Analysis

I was lucky enough to find this really great article on Descriptive Approaches to Landscape Analysis by R. Burton Litton Jr.  This article was extremely informative, revealing in great detail the landscape analysis process from background to design.  I was able to take each section and describe how it can be directly applied to vista management.  Anyone interested in understanding the best way to protect scenic landscapes should read this.

I found this article to be very helpful when it came to offering solutions to several landscape problems, particularly aesthetic evaluations.  Litton explains that “Aesthetic evaluations and visual impact predictions for environmental impact studies can originate from landscape analyses” (pg. 77).  Even though I did not go through the environmental impact process for this project, many of the steps are similar. 

The Role of Landscape Analysis:

 In the introduction, the author discusses how “Landscape analysis is a broad, sometimes fuzzy field which includes a set of different activities all concerned with visual resources” (pg. 77).  This means that since landscapes are associated with a variety of activities, individual preferences toward a particular natural element or action can lead to subjective analysis in the landscape.  Several activities are directly impacted by how natural and man-made elements are viewed, and what aspects of the landscape can be seen from different observation points.  Litton goes on to explain how “inventories of physical-visual elements and their relationships, qualitative or quantitative evaluations (or assessments), landscape aesthetics reports,…visual impact predictions, and the identification of planning and design goals as related to the landscape” should be included in all aesthetic evaluations if the landscape is to managed holistically (pg. 77).  Although there are been many different professions to participate in landscape analysis in the past, Litton emphasizes that landscape architects or environmental planners should typically assume the professional role for conducting visual analysis.  Not only do landscape architects and environmental planners have an interest in the aesthetic quality of the outdoor environment, they possess the necessary perceptions and capabilities to approach landscape analysis holistically with concern for the needs of both people and the environment.  

Landscape Analysis applied to Vista Management:

The author reveals that “while the characteristics of landscape descriptions may be as varied as different authors’ purposes, the variation can suggest how complex landscape perception may be” (pg. 77).  I think this idea is vital to adequate vista management.  Since the topography and vegetation varies throughout the Park, each vista requires a detailed management plan that outlines the specific techniques for maintaining each view.  However, because each description is so complex, vista management is a cumulative effort.  Even though I was responsible for the initial aesthetic evaluation and the development of a rating system, a team of Park staff was assembled to ensure that the each vista would meet the Park’s current needs and that the vistas were not evaluated subjectively.  The team consisted of at least one representative from each division within the Park: Facility Management, Resource Management, Administration, Resource and Visitor Protection, and Resource Education.  Together, this team evaluates the aesthetic quality of each view, the focal points in each view, the significance of each vista, and which management technique is most appropriate to both fulfill Park goals and preserve the visitor experience.  It was concluded that even though many vistas within the Park are in critical need of restoration, not all views should be reopened.  Since the creation of certain vistas, a number of viewsheds have been significantly impacted by ever-increasing development along the ridge lines and in the valleys outside of the Park.  Other views were not to be reopened because the Park did not want to allocate the resources to open views if other vistas could offer a better view of the same focal points.