Application of Ecological Assessment in Aesthetic design of Natural Urban Landscapes Study Area (Khoshk River, Shiraz, Iran)

The main goal of the present study is to integrate the ecological assessment and remote sensing techniques to evaluate landscape structural elements of Khoshk River. Furthermore, aesthetic design strategies for the natural urban landscapes that lead to improving environmental quality are presented by different flowcharts. In this regard, natural and artificial patterns and flows of marginal area of the Khoshk River are recognized through analyzing aerial photos at the landscape-mosaic scale. Along with the qualitative analyses, the quantitative analyses by using remote sensing technique are carried out for determination of vegetation density, surficial water, and topography. The vegetation density and the surficial water are assessed using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), respectively. Moreover, the topography of the studied area are investigated using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Landscape fragmentation caused by public transportation and urban development is analyzed during the time period of 2003-2018 for the site of interest. The aesthetic strategies presented in this research emphasize on improving the visual quality and pattern configuration, conserving the biodiversity, and increasing public awareness of ecological values.