VISUAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF TOWNSCAPES: A STUDY FOR NIKSAR TOWN (TOKAT) OF TURKEY

Abstract

Although Middle Black Sea region of Turkey harbors various natural and cultural aspects, the scientific researches about such a rich source of the region are still insufficient. The present study was conducted to assess the visual landscape quality of natural and cultural beauties of Niksar town and close surroundings and to investigate the effects of landscape components on visual quality. The type of landscape with the greatest visual quality value was identified as Rocky Habitat Landscape 2 (r=4.386) and it was followed respectively by Agricultural Landscape 5 (r=4.227) and Natural Landscape 3 (r=4.137). It was observed that all of the landscape parameters considered in this study (naturalness, variety, vividness, being interesting, harmony, originality, cultural value) significantly affected visual quality values. Besides, perceptibility also had significant effects on visual quality of the landscapes. Finally recommendations were provided for the future use of natural resources of the region.