| Abstract: |
Viewshed analysis is typically utilized to identify the visibility of one or two specific objects on the landscape from a scattering of observation points (i.e. is the wind turbine visible from the school?). Another approach is to identify land that is visible from a fixed linear network (i.e. from major roads). However, for an island's regional planning agency wanting to address such issues as coastline viewscape preservation, the viewshed question becomes which existing buildings are visible from the water taking into account the natural and built environments? Once the manmade visual obstructions are identified, what planning policies can be implemented to best preserve undisturbed views and perhaps restore disturbed views? This presentation will describe adjusting elevation data for vegetation, buildings, and roads; performing coastline viewshed analysis for a series of off-shore linear networks; and categorizing stretches of coastline based on the number and size of buildings that are visible from the water. 3D viewscapes, from the sailor's view, will also be displayed for selected areas of Martha's Vineyard. |