Explaining the Role of Artificial Lakes in Improving the Quality of Landscape Architecture and its Effect on Improving the Visual Quality of the Surrounding Environment (Case Study: Chitgar Lake)

The role of artificial lakes has long been transformed into one of the important recreational landscapes for tourism around the world. In this context, the qualitative improvement of landscape architecture and its effects on enhancing the visual quality of the surrounding environment, due to the attractive role of water and lakes, holds a special place among tourists. The aim of this article is to elucidate the role of artificial lakes in the qualitative improvement of landscape architecture and its impact on enhancing the visual quality of the surrounding environment, as well as the criteria and mental perceptions of citizens that contribute to the enhancement of the visual quality of the environment and the qualitative improvement of landscape architecture. The research method includes descriptive-analytical and survey methods. Accordingly, the present study aims to clarify the role of artificial lakes in the qualitative improvement of landscape architecture and its impact on enhancing the visual quality of the surrounding environment. The reasons for selecting this lake as a research sample can be explained by its attractive topography, strong green space foundation, and the significant presence of people at various times. The existence of various commercial, cultural, and administrative uses around the lake, along with joyful marine elements and recreational activities, and the abundance of food stores along the lake's edge, contribute to the high volume of activity in the area."Structural Equation Modeling was used for data analysis, hypothesis testing, and evaluation of the research model. Since variance-based structural equation modeling is used for complex models, it does not have a sample size limitation and is not sensitive to the normality of the distribution, we utilized it in the present study. Using Cochran's formula, a sample size of 384 individuals was selected. The data were analyzed using Smart PLS software. The results indicate that one of the objectives of the research is to explain the role of Chitgar Lake in the qualitative improvement of landscape architecture. Descriptive findings showed that among the three components of qualitative improvement, which include social, environmental, and landscape architecture, The greatest role is attributed to the environmental component (with an average of 3.47),while the least role is related to the social component (with an average of 2.97). The landscape architecture component ranks second with an average of 3.21. In better words, considering the important role of the lake in the environment, the respondents believed that the living ecosystem around the lake gives a better understanding of the natural environment, and agreed with the presence and migration of birds from other climates to this lake, and agreed with the lack of abnormal buildings around this lake. The lake was for the presence of more migratory birds Additionally, another objective of the research is to explain the role of Chitgar Lake in enhancing the visual quality of the surrounding environment. Descriptive findings indicated that among the four components of economic, physical, educational, and managerial and legal, the highest role of the lake is in the educational component.