ABSTRACT
Most visual analyses of project development have led to studies that tend to emphasize the value of the landscape "with the project in it" and associated remedial measures. With the expansion of project initiated environmental impact assessments, requirements to avoid impact areas other than visual have tended to force developments into wild or natural areas and parks. The methodologies reported may prove useful in determining intrinsic visual values of all landscape— whether of special, natural, or more subtle acculturated character. While general diversity itself is a major contributor to the intrinsic aesthetic value of an area, it is clear that viewability is important. The general diversity and viewability maps can then be combined to provide a synthesis assessment which highlights the highly viewable areas of important general diversity. An important part of visual analysis is to identify and evaluate significant vistas.
