The impact of lakeshore modifications and constructions on visual landscape quality: a mixed methods study

Lakeshore areas continue to be threatened by increasing human activities and land use. Development and large construction projects in lakeshore areas affect both the lake’s ecological condition and its landscape quality and aesthetics. To minimize and prevent the occurrence of significant visual impacts, it is important to understand and evaluate the magnitude of damage and the factors contributing to such impacts from development activities. In this study, a mixed methods approach is used to assess the visual impact of modifications and constructions on the lakeshore landscape. This includes (1) an objective landscape indicator-based assessment method to measure the extent of construction and modification impacts on the visual landscape, and (2) a visual perception-based assessment method to capture receptors’ evaluations of the visual landscape changes and visual impact factors on the lakeshore. Integrating the results from both methods yields a comprehensive assessment of visual impact. The results of both assessment methods indicate that the visual quality of the lakeshore landscape declined significantly during the construction phase. In addition, this study concludes that this mixed approach to visual impact assessment has greater advantages than a single approach and provides more dimensional information, criteria, and perspectives.