Assessment of Visual Quality and the Perception of Landscapes in the Roads Leading to City (Case Study: Bojnord City)

Visual characteristics have an important contribution to the region's identity and sense of place.  It helps people enjoy the nature, built environment, cause investment attraction, socio-economic development of the region and attract tourists and their desire to return to the environment. Finding landscape and its perception by humans, plays an important role in the perception and his knowledge of the environment. The aim of the study is to evaluate the visual quality of landscapes in the main routes leading to Bojnord city and ranking them. In order to analyze the data, compilation of conceptual approaches to evaluate the perception of landscape and visual quality assessment method (LPD) is used. First, all major routes leading to Bojnord city were investigated through field studies using tools such as GPS, compass, maps of city and photography. Total 129 photographs, from different checkpoints in the three main routes leading to the city, were taken to study the visual perception of landscapes and 24 photos were chosen for final review. The main indicators, including six  items of "the position of the viewer", "distance vision", "landscape composition", "visual fragility", "the eye of the beholder" and "Best to see", in 17states, have been considered. According to the findings, route number one, with the highest points of view, under the viewer's feet and the lowest visual fragility, has a distinct perceptual quality from the other studied paths. The results of LPD method, show that this route, by the calculated of "P" (tourists' perception of perspective that is visible from all the sights in one place), is in the first level. Finally, qualitative analysis and perspective drawing of landscape perception rhythm in three directions, is provided.
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
It helps people enjoy the nature, built environment, cause investment attraction, socio-economic development of the region and attract tourists and their desire to return to the environment. Finding landscape and its perception by humans, plays an important role in the perception and his knowledge of the environment.
2- Materials and Method
This research is an applied one which has been done by descriptive-analytical method based on survey studies. The aim of the study is to evaluate the visual quality of landscapes in the main routes leading to Bojnord city and ranking them. In order to analyze the data, compilation of conceptual approaches to evaluate the perception of landscape and visual quality assessment method (LPD) is used. First, all major routes leading to Bojnord city were investigated through field studies using tools such as GPS, compass, maps of city and photography. Total 129 photographs, from different checkpoints in the three main routes leading to the city, were taken to study the visual perception of landscapes and 24 photos were chosen for final review. The main indicators, including six  items of "the position of the viewer", "distance vision", "landscape composition", "visual fragility", "the eye of the beholder" and "Best to see", in 17states, have been considered.
 3- Results and Discussion
According to the findings, route number one, with the highest points of view, under the viewer's feet and the lowest visual fragility, has a distinct perceptual quality from the other studied paths. The results of LPD method, show that this route, by the calculated of "P" (tourists' perception of perspective that is visible from all the sights in one place), is in the first level. Finally, qualitative analysis and perspective drawing of landscape perception rhythm in three directions, is provided. Route No. 1, with appropriate visual quality landscapes compared to other paths studied, has an optimal and intermittent rhythm of visual perception. The plotted rhythm actually represents the degree, intensity, and frequency of the establishment of natural factors (natural attractions) in the visual quality of the landscapes in the studied paths. A set of natural factors including unique visibility, visual fragility, green zones, mountains, parks and nodes have been considered in this drawing. Thus in the studied paths, based on these factors and the number of them, assuming that these factors are enhancing the quality of landscape perception on the path, rhythm drawings are made.
 4- Conclusion
Considering the methods used in this research, calculated value for factor 'P", (the amount of perception that a visitor receives from all the sights in one place), in sum of the entire route, can be used to classify paths in terms of landscape perception. According to the results of the research, based on the calculated value of P, route No. 1 with the score of 6025 is in the first priority and routes No. 3 and No. 2, in the order, with the score of 711 and 576 are in the second and third priority. Of course, this prioritization can be the basis for investments to improve the visual quality of the scenery on the routes. In this way, while paying attention to the traceability of the route and preserving the aspects of its natural environment, natural and unique tourism identity can be added to the path. Thus, the suggestion is that any planning and design of the main routes leading to the city of Bojnord should be taken into account the factor of "visual perception of the landscape". Regarding the higher score of route number one, it is better to see the first priority in this route. Of course, it should be noted that these plans should not destroy the intact environment in the path or harm it. Therefore, it requires a planned and more knowledgeable approach to organize the natural attractions and its texture. Therefore, the classification of routes according to the perception of the landscape (visual qualities) can be the priority of any action for the prosperity of tourism. In addition, research findings can enhance the natural identity of the region and ultimately improve the quality of the city's environment and its surroundings.