Evaluation of visual landscape quality of Lake Van eastern coastal areas

In this study, the recreational potential of the eastern coastal areas of Lake Van and the natural -cultural value of the coasts were investigated. In order to analyze the landscape quality in these areas, the landscape (scenic) beauty of the areas was evaluated through perceptional (psychological) and physical variables. It has been decided in the "psychophysical" method that will shape the thesis work by making use of previous studies on visual landscape quality assessment. Photographs were taken from the regions identified in the eastern coastal areas of Lake Van and these photographs were shown to two different groups (expert and user groups) and the participants were asked to rate and evaluate the images according to the determined criteria. As a result of a photographic survey the factors affecting the quality of visual landscape were put forward and the evaluation of the statistical analyzes without the personal opinions and thoughts were made in an unbiased way. In this thesis, determining the parameters that affect the participants' preference of spaces and revealing the characteristics of the spaces were conducted with visual quality study. As a result of the visual quality analysis, the relationship between the participants' preferences and parameters was analyzed and spatial preference criteria were determined. According to this visual landscape quality analysis and evaluation, it is thought that the elements that will increase the visual quality of the landscape are put forward in the future design and planning studies.