Investigation and identifying of the important and effective elements for visual quality assessment of different landscape types

Due to limitations and potential of land ecosystems, ecological integrity and interactions between the various components of land show vulnerable because of the escalation of irrational human activities. So, it is essential that different environmental aspects such as landscape aesthetic quality be considered in landscape management and planning in order to preserve integrity and balance of ecosystems as well as to achieve sustainable development. Also, it seems necessary to identify and study the important elements affecting quality and aesthetic aspects of landscape in visual quality assessment process. In this study, considering the review and identification of important elements in visual quality assessment of landscape, aesthetic criteria and characteristics were examined based on scientific studies and existing documents. After that, the important and effective elements identified about the various ecological, socio-economic and aesthetic aspects in the visual quality assessment of urban, forest, agriculture, coastal, desert and mountain landscapes. The qualitative analysis was performed in relation to each of the landscapes according to the identified elements and components.
This study showed that understanding and awareness of the effective environmental and visual elements and their properties can be helpful in visual quality assessment of different landscape types and it will facilitate its process