Visibility Analysis

The assessment of the aesthetic quality of landscape units from selected key view points has always been a critical point throughout our research, because the results remain restricted to subjectively selected vista points. So we developed a methodology to do visibility analysis in a more flexible way. We programmed an ArcView extension called landvis.avx (see a detailed description of landvis.avx in German under ../report98/landvis.doc), the program works with existing avenue requests from the Spatial Analyst and it enables the user to choose between 3 different methods to do the visibility analysis:

1. from selected view points
2. from roads or paths
3. by a regular spaced grid (view-) points with a selectable grid resolution

Different variables can be set to control the analysis. The visibility analysis based on regular spaced (view-) points delivers results which can be examined with statistical methods.

The results of the visibility analysis can be used:

1. to find and plan interesting view points or "vista trails"
2. to select areas with a high aesthetic vulnerability
3. to map hidden areas with low visibility, adequate for urban/industrial buildings
4. to assess the scenic impact of proposed measures (afforestations, wind mills, etc.)