Visual quality: An examination of a South American Mediterranean landscape, Andean foothills east of Santiago (Chile)

This study assessed landscape visual quality in a sector of Andean foothills, east of Santiago, Chile. Sample photographs were taken in four dominant native landscape types that were systematically selected on the basis of four categories of vegetation density. Visitors (n = 180) were randomly sampled from among the residents of Santiago. The results showed that native vegetation has a positive impact on visual quality. Sclerophyllous shrublands and ravines (associated with semi-arid forests) are rated higher than savannahs of “espinales” and shrublands with succulent plants (associated with semi-arid grassland with shrubs). Findings also indicate that landscape scenes with high-vegetation density have a positive effect on visual quality, while those with a low density have a negative one. The key is the amount of visual access, which also increases people's perceptions of safety and orientation. Finally, results showed that information variables are associated with people's visual appreciation. Two preference factors were found to be consistent with the model of spatial information of Kaplan and Kaplan (1989). The implications of the results for the enhancement of public consensus in the planning and management of the Andean foothills, east of Santiago, are also discussed.