Glossary: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential impacts of proposed developments on the landscape and visual character of an area. It involves the identification, assessment, and mitigation of changes to the visual environment resulting from development activities, such as new infrastructure, buildings, or land use changes. LVIA considers factors such as landscape character, scenic quality, visual sensitivity, viewpoints, and visual receptors (people who may be affected by the changes). The assessment aims to inform decision-making, planning, and design processes by identifying measures to minimise adverse effects, enhance visual quality, and integrate new development harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. LVIA is often required as part of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale projects to ensure that visual impacts are adequately considered and addressed. Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA) – as above but in an urban context. Landscape and Visual Appraisal Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) is a process used to evaluate and analyse the potential visual impacts of proposed developments or changes to the landscape. It involves assessing how the proposed project may alter the visual character, quality, and scenic values of an area from various viewpoints and perspectives. Landscape Appraisal considers factors such as ecological integrity, aesthetic value, cultural heritage, recreational opportunities, and economic benefits to inform land use planning, conservation efforts, development proposals, and management decisions. Visual Appraisals consider factors such as landscape features, landforms, vegetation, built structures, and cultural heritage to determine the potential visual effects on the surrounding environment and visual receptors, including residents, visitors, and passersby. By analysing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with a landscape, appraisal helps stakeholders make informed choices that balance conservation, development, and community needs while preserving the integrity and resilience of landscapes for future generations. The aim is to consider landscape capacity, identify potential impacts, propose mitigation measures, and guide decision-making to minimise adverse visual effects and enhance the overall visual quality and character of the landscape. Townscape and Visual Appraisal (TVA) – as above but in an urban context. Landscape Character Assessment The purpose of a Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is to systematically identify and describe the distinct and diverse features of a landscape, understanding its unique character and the elements that contribute to its sense of place. This assessment helps inform planning and management decisions by providing a framework to evaluate the landscape’s capacity for change, guiding sustainable development, and ensuring that new projects are in harmony with the existing landscape character. An LCA promotes the conservation and enhancement of valued landscapes, supporting informed and balanced decision-making processes in land-use planning.
Glossary:
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential impacts of proposed developments on the landscape and visual character of an area. It involves the identification, assessment, and mitigation of changes to the visual environment resulting from development activities, such as new infrastructure, buildings, or land use changes. LVIA considers factors such as landscape character, scenic quality, visual sensitivity, viewpoints, and visual receptors (people who may be affected by the changes). The assessment aims to inform decision-making, planning, and design processes by identifying measures to minimise adverse effects, enhance visual quality, and integrate new development harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. LVIA is often required as part of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale projects to ensure that visual impacts are adequately considered and addressed.
Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA) - as above but in an urban context.
Landscape and Visual Appraisal
Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) is a process used to evaluate and analyse the potential visual impacts of proposed developments or changes to the landscape. It involves assessing how the proposed project may alter the visual character, quality, and scenic values of an area from various viewpoints and perspectives. Landscape Appraisal considers factors such as ecological integrity, aesthetic value, cultural heritage, recreational opportunities, and economic benefits to inform land use planning, conservation efforts, development proposals, and management decisions. Visual Appraisals consider factors such as landscape features, landforms, vegetation, built structures, and cultural heritage to determine the potential visual effects on the surrounding environment and visual receptors, including residents, visitors, and passersby. By analysing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with a landscape, appraisal helps stakeholders make informed choices that balance conservation, development, and community needs while preserving the integrity and resilience of landscapes for future generations. The aim is to consider landscape capacity, identify potential impacts, propose mitigation measures, and guide decision-making to minimise adverse visual effects and enhance the overall visual quality and character of the landscape.
Townscape and Visual Appraisal (TVA) - as above but in an urban context.
Landscape Character Assessment
The purpose of a Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is to systematically identify and describe the distinct and diverse features of a landscape, understanding its unique character and the elements that contribute to its sense of place. This assessment helps inform planning and management decisions by providing a framework to evaluate the landscape's capacity for change, guiding sustainable development, and ensuring that new projects are in harmony with the existing landscape character. An LCA promotes the conservation and enhancement of valued landscapes, supporting informed and balanced decision-making processes in land-use planning.