The working hypothesis for this study is that the introduction of GIS technology into the ancient procedures of map-making has changed the map-making context sufficiently to require a revision of the way we think about, learn from, and use maps, specifically in the public involvement process in natural resource management. The assumption that we jointly know what maps mean, and how to use them, has been carried unchallenged into the vastly changed arena of digital, information-dense, and highly technical map-making, courtesy of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It has remained unchallenged even as the social context for environmental policy-making is undergoing historic upheaval. GIS fundamentally changes how information is viewed, literally, by many different groups, for its maps and databases contain varying levels of uncertainty, multiple embedded assumptions, potentially privileged knowledge, and considerable power as story-makers, along with unintended and unexplored social consequences. GIS maps/databases are used here as the central refractor of ideas about relationships between scientists and lay audiences; between the post-modern understanding of privilege and social change; and ultimately between technology and meaning, where changing expectations about the role of science in natural resource management resonate most profoundly. Key research questions are: (1) How can GIS maps contribute to mutual learning in the natural resource management arena?, and (2) Which consequences of GIS development could change approaches to natural resource management? The exploratory case study used to address these questions examines GIS maps from the Coastal Landscape Analysis and Modeling Study (CLAMS), a landscape-scale bioregional assessment in western Oregon that draws heavily on GIS technology to illustrate ecological and socioeconomic dynamics and interactions. Findings suggest that use of GIS through time may change the realm of designing and structuring decision problems, adjusting it from a largely science-driven exercise in natural resource management to a more collaborative story-making one. While epistemological differences between scientists and lay audiences remain, they can be offset through such collaboration, with concomitant shifts in power structures that could affect a range of conditions including rates of technology diffusion, and management of a broad transition in how natural resources are perceived and utilized. / Graduation date: 2005

The relationship between the changes in color values of scenic landscapes, and the corresponding shifts in viewers' preferences to those changed environments, was the focus of the presented research. Color modifications, either natural or based on some human intervention, provide visual clues that an environment has undergone some transformation. These color changes can occur at both the micro and macro scale, can having temporal dimensions, and can be a result of combinations of both physical landscape change, and shifts in an observer's perspective with respect to that landscape. The research reviewed two existing models and related them in an integrated program of scenic change analysis. The first, a bio-physical remote sensing model, identified the relationships between the existing bio-physical environmental conditions and measured color signatures of selected landscape features. The second, a psychophysical perception model, established relationships between the landscape's bio-physical attributes and measured perceptual responses to those environments. By merging aspects of each model, the research related the changing scenic color patterns with observers' responses to those changed environments. The research methodology presented a program of scenic change analysis incorporating several technologies including (1) ground-based biological inventories, (2) remote sensing, (3) geographic information systems (GIS), and (4) computer visualization. A series of investigations focused on landscape scenes selected from a high elevation coniferous forest in southern Utah. Three initial scenic investigations compared (1) the impact of changing view angles on scenic color values, (2) color shifts due to changing sun-illumination angles within a day, and (3) color shifts due to changing biological conditions over a 12-month period. A fourth investigation measured the color changes caused by a spruce bark beetle outbreak, and developed a series of color signatures to simulate the color shifts indicative of an outbreak at different stages of development. These signatures were applied to digitized site photographs to produce a series of visualizations displaying different levels of beetle damage. The visualizations were then applied in a series of perceptual experiments to test the precision and reliability of the visual simulations.

No description available.

No description available.

This project explores the design of a rail-trail in the Midwest utilizing visual preference methods with ArcGIS and 3D visualization technologies. It has been found that visually preferred environments are more enjoyable, more frequently used places that positively influence overall health of individuals and communities. Aesthetic attributes of environments, in particular, are directly related to overall physical, social, and mental health. Research conducted on environment, behavior, and human preference suggests that environmental settings can influence perceptions of quality of life, sense of place, and mental states, which affect stress levels, which are physically manifested in the body (Kaplan 1982, 1987, 1995, 1998; Lusk 2002; RWJF 2006; Shafer 2000).One way of providing healthier environments is by improving aesthetics according to the visual characteristics that promote understanding and exploration of the environment, specifically perceptual values of smoothness, density, and landcover type (Kaplan and Kaplan 1998; Brown 1994). This technique allows social issues such as public opinion and health benefits to be integrated with environmental and cultural issues to thoroughly address design and management solutions, especially in recreation areas. Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions facilitated the analysis by adapting the United States Forest Service visual analysis framework to the visual preference research to assess the use of GIS and 3D technology in a design oriented application. This included the addition of a 3D element to allow the designer to experience how a scene changes through space and time. Use of 2D, 3D, and animation capabilities of ArcGIS assisted in the visualization of landscape preference from the trail-user's point of view to assess the perceptual qualities of the landscape along the Cardinal Greenway.The project findings outline the capabilities of ArcGIS 3D Analyst and Spatial Analyst for mapping and measuring these perceptual and physical landscape qualities. The resulting design concepts reflect the findings of this study. It is anticipated that the process followed could be adapted and applied to recreation areas in similar geographic regions, and thereby advance daily recreation and lifestyle change for healthier individuals and communities. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-86). / This thesis is an examination of future growth outside of the towns and suburban developments in Upper Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Its aim is to offer projections for inhabitable physical form. These projections will be responsive to the many specific issues of a given site. Any project contains issues associated with four distinct sizes; namely, Overall Size, Collective Size, Containment Size, and Personal Size. From these issues and their ramifications, this thesis will develop continuities (i.e., of access, sizes, directions, and forms) at each size. The different continuities will reinforce one another in the design of a cohesive place for dwelling. The design projections will be applied to a 30-unit housing development to be built on 12 acres of wooded land, which is located along the western perimeter of Sellersville, Pennsylvania. / by Michael B. Raphael. / M.Arch.

The current study is an empirical study of preference for campus open space around the drill field on Mississippi State University (MSU) campus. 83 students at Mississippi State University were selected as research objects. Based on the literature review, a research process was designed to employ VEP, content analysis and multivariate analysis---Biplot to explore the interested research problems. The study identified two most preferred landscape scene types - "Legibility" and "Coherence" using Kaplan?s "information processing model". A statistical analysis tool for multivariate analysis-Biplot was used to reveal the landscape preference patterns for campus open space as well as how certain landscape features can contribute these patterns. The study found factors such as gender, educational and cultural background can heavily affect these patterns. The result indicated that "vegetations" including tree, seasonal flowers and open grassland, were the most preferred landscape feature on campus open space. Finally, the limitations of this study were discussed and some recommendations for future landscape preference study were provided.

No description available.

Die Gewinnung von regional- und landschaftsplanerischen Aussagen zu wichtigen Themen aus den Funktionsbereichen des Natur- und Landschaftsschutzes sowie der natürlichen Erholungseignung erfordert die Verknüpfung jeweils mehrerer thematischer Datenebenen. Im Rahmen einer Landschaftsstrukturanalyse werden die Freiflächenzerschneidung, die Biotopvernetzung und die Ökotonlängen in ihrer räumlichen Ausprägung ermittelt. Durch GIS-gestützte Verschneidungsalgorithmen können Problemareale erkannt werden, in denen sich Nutzungsansprüche überlagern (beispielsweise sensible Bereiche mit Baugebietsstandorten). Andererseits können Bereiche herausgearbeitet werden, die aufgrund ihrer vielfältigen landschaftshaushaltlichen Funktionen eine hohe Wertigkeit besitzen.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The visual landscape is a resource that should be managed sustainably. Sufficient tools for the effective management of visual landscapes are still lacking. Existing visualization software (including 3D Analyst) could be utilized as an aid in visual landscape management, but as such it lacks quantification functionalities. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) could effectively be used in the quantification of visual landscapes. The composition, value and experience of visual landscapes are complex and interrelated. Visual landscapes should be divided into physical and cognitive elements for management purposes. In the quantification of visual landscapes, the physical elements are effectively handled within a GIS. Insufficient research though, hampers the quantification of the visual landscape in terms of cognitive elements. Arc View GIS, including the 3D Analyst Extension, can be extended to quantify visual landscapes. Arc View's integrated development language, Avenue, was used to develop a new technique, namely The Visual Landscape Quantifier (VLQ). The VLQ-technique is an application based on a virtual landscape where a user can select observation and target locations. These locations are used to quantify the visual landscape in a chosen direction. Results are expressed as the percentage (%) of the visible land use in the selected visual landscape. The user can choose whether the results should be displayed as a list or as a graph. Wanted and unwanted elements in the landscape could be identified, aiding the management and planning of landscapes. Keywords: Visual landscape, landscape, Visual Landscape Quantifier, visualization, Arc View GIS, Avenue, Object Oriented Programming, 3D Analyst. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die visuele landskap is 'n hulpbron wat volhoubaar bestuur moet word, maar ongelukkig bestaan daar mm instrumente om dit effektief te bestuur. Bestaande visualiseringsprogrammatuur (insluitend Arc View 3D Analyst) kan as hulpmiddel dien in die bestuur van visuele landskappe, maar dit ontbreek kwantifiseringsfunksionaliteite. Geografiese Inligtingstelsels (GIS) kan effektief aangewend word in die kwantifisering van visuele landskappe. Die samestelling, waarde en hoe visuele landskappe ervaar word, is kompleks en interverwant. Om visuele landskappe meetbaar te maak, moet dit in fisiese en kognitiewe elemente opgebreek word. GIS hanteer die fisiese elemente van visuele landskappe effektief en gevolglik is die kwantifisering daarvan (in GIS) wel moontlik. Onvoldoende navorsing maak die kwantifisering van visuele landskappe, in terme van kognitiewe elemente, egter moeilik. ArcView GIS, insluitend die 3D Analyst-uitbreiding, kan aangepas word om visuele landskappe te kwantifiseer. 'n Nuwe tegniek, die Visual Landscape Quantifier (VLQ), is met ArcView se geïntegreerde programmeertaal, Avenue, ontwikkel. Die VLQ-tegniek berus op 'n virtuele landskap waarbinne die gebruiker toegelaat word om waarnemers- en teikenliggings te selekteer. As toepassing word die visuele landskap in die gekose rigting in terme van die persentasie (%) van sigbare grondgebruik in die geselekteerde landskap gekwantifiseer. Die gebruiker kan kies of die resultaat as 'n lys of as 'n grafiek voorgestel moet word. Moontlike gewenste of ongewenste elemente in die visuele landskap kan gevolglik geïdentifiseer word en so die bestuurs- en beplanningstaak ondersteun. Sleutelwoorde: Visuele landskap, landskap, Visual Landscape Quantifier, visualisering, ArcView GIS, Avenue, 3D Analyst, Object Oriented Programmering.