Reinforcing Landscape Rehabilitation using Visibility Analysis: A Case Study of Western Liguria, Italy

Abstract

Italy is a major tourist attraction for Europeans and the rest of the world's population because of its natural and cultural beauty. The high influx of tourists after the 1950s provoked an uncontrollable urbanization in Italy, which primarily occurred in coastal areas. The region of Liguria, which is located in Northwest Italy, suffered heavily during this period, and the progressive degradation of the landscape has been a topic of discussion in Liguria and the European community for the past few decades. This study employed Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to identify the areas visible from roads that are frequently used by tourists. Visibility analysis has been proposed as a method to help focus rehabilitation processes on the most visible areas. The lack of conservation demonstrates the progressive abandonment of rural areas and suggests that forest fires are degrading the quality of the landscape. Historical and typical cultivation areas, however, have been suggested as targets for initiation of the rehabilitation process. A balance is required between the development of the tourist infrastructure and the preservation of the local identity to allow for economic development while maintaining the natural and historical heritage of the region.