Visual impact assessment of flooring materials used in landscape architecture

The research was carried out on a region on the coastline of Ereğli. The study consists of comparing the current condition of the hard flooring of the area on the coastline with the improved versions depending on the visual quality evaluation criteria; and it is supported by expert group and user group surveys. In the visual impact assessment; the visual impact assessment criteria of the landscape specified in the study of Çakcı (2007) were taken as a basis. The main material of the study is 1 photograph of the study area on the shoreline and 18 fictional design images, which are ameliorated versions of the area. These 18 fictional design images were asked to be evaluated by the user and expert groups according to their spatial characteristics. Significant results were obtained based on the analysis of the survey results used in the study. As a result of the evaluation of the research findings, the compatibility, naturalness, regularity, openness, mobility, safety, excitement, beauty, relaxation and impressiveness levels of each photo were determined and the differences between the expert group and user group evaluations were revealed. With the results, guiding suggestions were presented to the designers and local administrations in the selection of hard flooring materials to be used in the design and implementation of spaces with high visual impact value.