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Visualising Landscape Dynamics

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 14572

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Amedeo Ganciu

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: landscape and complexity; network analysis and visualization; virtual reality and digital twin application

Dr. Enrico Cicalò

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: graphic representation; landscape visualization; visual information design

Dr. Mara Balestrieri

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: landscape transformation; sustainability and resilient landscape

Dr. Michele Valentino

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: landscape and architectural visualization; algorithm design and representation; virtual reality and digital twin application

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A landscape is a complex system composed of tangible and intangible values, and human activity is fundamental to its management. The correct representation and interpretation of the landscape matrixs is crucial to its quality and sustainability design; in this way, the new tools and recent technology provide a better analysis and visualization of landscape evolution. Through Social Network Analysis and Graph Theory, we can analyse and visualise the strength, morphology, and polarities of the landscape matrixs. Using a GIS for Public Participation, we can obtain strategic information for a landscape governance system, and have the possibility to monitor its evolution. Through a cognitive map, we could recognize a landscape perception; in other words, cognitive maps are how people perceive their landscape. Virtual and augmented reality, through the internet of things and artificial intelligence, underly the recent development of digital twins; therefore, these may represent new technological frontiers for sustainable landscape design and its management.

Topics research

Landscape dynamics representation and visualization.
Landscape dynamics modeling and simulation.
Landscape dynamics survey, maps, visual data mapping.
Tangible and intangible landscapes visualization and communication.
Landscape dynamics perception and communication: research and applications of tools and methodologies for the design and visualization of cognitive landscape maps.
Virtual Landscape and Augmented Landscape: application and development of Digital Twins for design and management of contemporary landscapes; use the technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to enhance landscape immersion and its knowledge.
Landscape network: tools to analyze different kinds of landscape network (citizen, economic, food, energy, social) and methodologies for their visualisation with innovative infographics.
Governance’s landscape design process: applications of digital tools for the recognition and representation of social dynamics, such as webGIS, PPGIS and other.

Dr. Amedeo Ganciu
Dr. Enrico Cicalò
Dr. Mara Balestrieri
Dr. Michele Valentino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

landscape representation and visualization
landscape perception and communication
digital twins
landscape network analysis
landscape governance design

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 416 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Visualising Landscape Dynamics

by Amedeo Ganciu, Enrico Cicalò, Michele Valentino and Mara Balestrieri

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020527 - 8 Jan 2024

Viewed by 635

Abstract

A landscape is a complex and dynamic system composed of tangible and intangible, natural and artificial, economic and social, technological, and socio-historical values [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Visualising Landscape Dynamics)

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Research

Jump to: Editorial

25 pages, 23124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Visual Analysis to Assess Attraction and Organisation of Contemporary Metropolitan Systems—A Case Study of Central and Northern Italy

by Amedeo Ganciu and Mara Balestrieri

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010127 - 22 Dec 2023

Viewed by 542

Abstract

The landscape of scientific research is rich with experiments aimed at identifying polycentric morphologies, defining their degree of polycentricity, and the socio-economic and environmental relationships that develop within them. However, some aspects are still under-researched, such as defining a procedure for determining the extent of the metropolitan area of influence. This research aims to experiment with a graphical–analytical methodology aimed at identifying and representing the functional area of metropolises, i.e., the territorial limit beyond which a metropolis’ attractiveness ceases to exert its territorial influence, and which also allows the territorial ramification of urban cores with greater attractiveness to be determined and visualized graphically. Using Visual Analytics as a conceptual basis, it is possible to combine methods and technologies that harness the potential of human understanding with the increased capabilities of electronic data processing for a more adequate understanding of the research scope. For this research, the graph-analytic mix adopted comprises the graph theory algorithms for the analytical quantification of relationships and the reference surface area of polycentric metropolises. In contrast, the subsequent visualisation of relationships and their spatial branching is based on the electronic evolution of graphical techniques based on the works of Henry Drury Harness and Charles Joseph Minard, particularly those invented to map commuter flows and migrations. The research results, focusing on Northern Italy, demonstrate a highly interconnected and polycentric system, with macro-areas whose functional boundaries seldom coincide with the administrative boundaries of the regions. The research demonstrates the existence of five territorial macro-regions encompassing the 11 regions outlined in the Italian state’s legislation, containing polycentric metropolitan systems with distributional characteristics that differ from each other. Full article

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17 pages, 12006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From 3D Modeling to Landscape Mapping—A Workflow for the Visualization and Communication of the Asinara Island Park Plan

by Enrico Cicalò, Michele Valentino and Andrea Sias

Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16730; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416730 - 11 Dec 2023

Viewed by 715

Abstract

This paper aims to present the method for producing visual media for communicating the Asinara Island National Park plan. These products are landscape visualizations capable of fostering landscape preservation both from the point of view of the management of the landscape and of the citizen’s involvement in the communication of the historical and environmental values of the landscape. Starting from landscape information gathering, the research has experimented with an operative method for processing different graphic representations from the same geographic database, calibrating the outputs to different audiences, their needs, objectives, and literacy skills. Three different types of products are presented as results of the research: The first is a digital, dynamic, and multisectoral decision-making GIS tool for park management. The second is a 3D model, aimed at virtual fruition. The third is a map of the zoning park plan drawn to be easily readable to the non-expert public. The results of this case study can be applied to other context and planning processes because of the replicability of the experimented method, which allows for processing the landscape information to make different visualization tools from a single geographic model, to meet the different requirements that arise from a complex landscape planning process. Full article

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20 pages, 26817 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Representation of Landscape and Ecological Vision in Miyazaki’s Filmography

by Cristiana Bartolomei, Alfonso Ippolito and Davide Mezzino

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 15132; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015132 - 22 Oct 2023

Viewed by 3448

Abstract

This study analyzes the central role of landscape in Hayao Miyazaki’s films. The depiction of landscape in Miyazaki’s films goes beyond mere visual backdrops in order to convey deep symbolic meanings and to foster an empathic connection between the viewer and the world depicted. The renowned Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, draftsman, manga artist and film director has strongly promoted environmental awareness in his productions by paying close attention to the depiction and visualization of landscape dynamics, using details, and real and invented elements to create an engaging visual experience. The landscapes also take on emotional, metaphorical dimensions, reflecting the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters. Through an in-depth critical analysis of eleven selected films, the proposed research identifies the character-defining elements adopted by Miyazaki to stimulate reflection on a sustainable combination between urban development and the preservation of natural elements, as well as increasing focus on the beauty of the landscape, thereby highlighting the importance of its preservation. The relevance of this research is to understand Miyazaki’s approach to creating representations of natural elements and how he has managed to combine them with the plots of his various films, indirectly stimulating environmental awareness and fascination with nature in its different forms. Full article

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14 pages, 9891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage Trasimeno: From Mapping the Dynamics of Landscape Transformation to Possible Strategies for Heritage Use

by Paolo Belardi, Valeria Menchetelli and Giovanna Ramaccini

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14777; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014777 - 12 Oct 2023

Viewed by 682

Abstract

This research concerns the analysis of the evolution of the landscape of Lake Trasimeno, in the Umbria region (Italy). The case study is marked by an inconsistent settlement pattern. Nevertheless, it retains wide glimpses of unspoilt territory, still tied to its original values. The same landscape transformations offer a series of opportunities for recomposition. These require representative instruments capable of interpreting and guiding the valorisation of the rich heritage, all this also considering the strong tourism value of the area under study. From a methodological point of view, the contribution is structured in three main phases: a first phase of studying the tourism dynamics in the area; a second phase of mapping the identity and evolutionary characteristics of the area; a third phase of conception and development of three project proposals aimed at enhancing the identity characteristics of the place and at favouring its usability with a view to sustainable tourism. The restitution and interpretation of the analysis and mapping phases (albeit partial, because they are limited to only a part of the lake’s coastline) become fundamental for identifying sustainable project strategies, as they are integrated with the social, cultural and economic characteristics of the area. Full article

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12 pages, 7540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Representation and Visualization Processes for a Sustainable Approach to Landscape/Heritage

by Rossella Salerno

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14589; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914589 - 8 Oct 2023

Viewed by 952

Abstract

This paper intends to focus on the modes and forms of representation for a novel and sustainable approach to landscape/heritage, to those “tangible and intangible landscapes”, which are also called “emerging landscapes of heritage”. The long tradition of landscape description is grounded in visibility/objectivity terms as well as on nature/history. Nowadays, a sustainable approach to landscape/heritage should also carefully describe the participatory processes in recognizing, enhancing, and sharing meaningful values for a community. Starting with the Icomos recommendations about heritage modes of representation, this paper extends the research question to landscape/heritage where there are required methodologies that take into consideration both visible and objective aspects for depicting the interactions of people and territory, and its “becoming”. This contribution will therefore outline the main forms adopted today for the visualization and communication of the landscape that can monitor human and physical processes in progress and that, while being in continuity with the idea of landscape rooted in the West on the intangible aspect of “visibility”, they also need to be increasingly performative in describing the territorial and tangible complexity of dynamics and phenomena on a large scale. Full article

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25 pages, 52330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land Development Planning: New Principles and New Representations in the General Urban Plan of Parma

by Chiara Vernizzi and Chiara Finizza

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14485; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914485 - 4 Oct 2023

Viewed by 862

Abstract

Since the entry of Emilia-Romagna Regional Law No. 24/2017 Disciplina regionale sulla tutela e l’uso del territorio, the processes guiding the development of the territory have profoundly changed, in principle, in the structuring through processes of participation and how contents are expressed and represented. Concepts such as the containment of soil consumption as a non-renewable resource; regeneration of urbanized territories; protection and enhancement of land, including agricultural land; protection and enhancement of historical and cultural elements; and promotion of greater levels of knowledge of the territory and its existing built heritage are the main principles of the law that give foundational importance to the entire process of forming the knowledge framework and strategic lines that structure General Urban Plans, which are designed to express planning contents through an ideogrammatic type of cartography. The analysis of the law and its contents also becomes an opportunity to reflect on the tools through which the governance of the territory is implemented, from GIS to web GIS up to the changes in the graphic language through which the planning principles are expressed, with specific reference to the planning tools of Parma, on which the new General Urban Plan (PUG) is being defined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Visualising Landscape Dynamics)

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17 pages, 7073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low-Cost 3D Virtual and Dynamic Reconstruction Approach for Urban Forests: The Mesiano University Park

by Chiara Chioni, Anna Maragno, Angelica Pianegonda, Marco Ciolli, Sara Favargiotti and Giovanna A. Massari

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14072; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914072 - 22 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1016

Abstract

Urban forests, parks, and gardens are fundamental components of urban sustainability, resilience, and regenerative dynamics. Designers, architects, and landscape architects could smartly manage these dynamic ecosystems if efficiently provided with design-oriented digital tools, technologies, and techniques. However, practitioners lack knowledge and standardized procedures for their uses. The rise of low-cost sensors to generate 3D data (e.g., point clouds) in forestry can also effectively support monitoring, analysis, and visualization purposes for greenery in urban contexts. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach—involving the fields of forestry, geomatics, and computer science—this contribution addresses these issues and proposes a low-cost workflow for 3D virtual reconstructions of urban forests to support information management activities and thus landscape architecture applications. By connecting a wide range of methods (i.e., spherical photogrammetry, point cloud modeling), tools (i.e., 360° camera, tablet with lidar sensor), and software (i.e., Agisoft Metashape, CloudCompare, Autodesk AutoCAD), the proposed workflow is defined and tested in the development of dynamic virtual representations for a plot of the Mesiano University park in Trento (Italy). Finally, comparing acquisition, processing, and elaboration methodologies and their results, the possibility of developing digital twins of urban forests is envisioned. Full article

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16 pages, 12240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Strategic Interpretation of Landscape through Interaction between Natural, Built and Virtual Environments: The Case Study of Piazzola sul Brenta

by Greta Montanari, Andrea Giordano, Gianmario Guidarelli, Federica Maietti and Elena Svalduz

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13445; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813445 - 7 Sep 2023

Viewed by 949

Abstract

The need to digitize data as an analysis tool is increasingly a topical issue, also because it is a tool of common interest for several disciplines. This new research merges with the iNEST project (Interconnected Nord-Est Innovation Ecosystem), referring in particular to Spoke 4: city, architecture and sustainable design, which aims at extending the beneficial effects of digitalization to the areas of “Nord-Est” Italy. The project started in August 2022 and will end in August 2025. Knowing that the trend of urbanization, metropolis living, and climate change is related to psychologically stressful situations as a result of environmental stressors, this research aims to analyze if living in a place surrounded by natural and valuable artificial elements (i.e., historical architecture, art) is crucial in generating health and psychophysical well-being. This paper presents the case study of Piazzola sul Brenta, a small town in the Veneto region on which a territorial analysis was carried out to understand the existing dynamics between the natural and artificial environment, using the literature and historical maps. Since this research began recently, with only preliminary and partial results so far, this paper focuses on the interdisciplinary discussion developed around this topic, showing the first part of a research that aims to create models of urban and landscape contexts that enable in-depth analysis and the prefiguration of strategies for regeneration. Full article

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25 pages, 7105 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Risk Analysis toward a Landscape Digital Twin Framework: A Multi-Hazard Approach in the Context of a Socio-Economic Perspective

by Francesca Maria Ugliotti, Anna Osello, Muhammad Daud and Ozan Onur Yilmaz

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12429; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612429 - 16 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1259

Abstract

In the last decades, climate and environmental changes have highlighted the fragility and vulnerability of the landscape, especially in mountain areas where the effects are most severe. This study promotes the methodological setup of a landscape digital twin to establish a multi-disciplinary and multi-scalar hazard overview according to a matrix framework implementable over time and space. The original contribution to the research addresses a holistic vision that combines meaningfully qualitative with quantitative approaches within a multi-hazard framework from the socio-economic perspective. This contribution presents road network risk analysis by exploiting flooding and landslide scenarios. The critical road segments or nodes most vulnerable or impacted by network performance and accessibility can be identified with minimal preprocessing from credible open-source sources. Service maps are used to show the spatial distribution of risk scores for different typologies of points of interest and hazards. Origin-destination matrix graphs display changes in travel time between facilities under various scenarios. Using a risk scores formula to generate risk maps has made it possible to effectively represent the interconnectedness among natural hazards, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors, fostering more resilient decision-making processes. The method’s applicability is tested through a case study in northern Italy’s Piedmont Region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Visualising Landscape Dynamics)

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25 pages, 13697 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of Public Perception in the Assessment of Licensed Solar Farms: A Case Study in Greece

by Anna Codemo, Ambra Barbini, Ahi Mantouza, Anastasios Bitziadis and Rossano Albatici

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 9899; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139899 - 21 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1357

Abstract

The increasing adoption of solar power plants requires the consideration of different aspects involved in the transformation of landscape. In this view, recent studies encourage public engagement and landscape integration strategies in the decision-making process to ensure an accepted and inclusive energy transition. However, there is limited knowledge on how to include landscape considerations in the planning processes, specifically on public perception and values. This work aims to assess five licensed solar farms in the region of Central Macedonia (Greece) based on the opinion of the inhabitants. The paper presents the results of an online and onsite questionnaire administered in different villages around the study area in October 2022. The survey utilized the potential benefits and impacts, as well as siting criteria and spatial configuration strategies, taken from literature to describe public perception and preferences. The methodology consists of three phases: investigation of public perception on solar farms; operationalization of the results to make them spatially explicit; overall suitability of the areas and mitigation strategies. The results illustrate the prioritization of the perceived impacts and benefits of photovoltaic installations and highlight the different levels of suitability of the areas and possible mitigation measures. The proposed approach is complementary to the planning processes taking into account societal considerations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Visualising Landscape Dynamics)

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