TPA 110
Site Analysis and Assessment
Theme 2.4. Cultural Attributes – Sensory Perception
Sensory Perception
▪ Visibility
▪ Visual Quality
▪ Noise and Odours
Sensory Perception - Visibility
▪ Depending on the type of proposed/planned development the land uses on
adjacent sites can significantly influence the suitability of a site for a development
or redevelopment
▪ The visibility of a site is crucial
▪ Commercial developments – needs to be seen
▪ Residential developments – users don’t necessarily want outside viewers to see
inside
Sensory Perception - Visibility
▪ Identifying the visibility of your site from the surrounding areas through a site visit and identifying
the various points of visibility and photographing them
▪ A viewshed analysis can be done with GIS – however GIS does not take the height of vegetation
into consideration very well and sometimes give incorrect interpretations
▪ Making an inventory of main features that can be seen from outside the site – you could focus on
positive and negative elements – its not about just showing what can be seen, you need to make
a value judgement
Sensory Perception – Visual Quality
▪ Making an inventory of main features that is visible from your site (inside or outside) – you would usually
focus on positive and negative elements – its not about just showing what can be seen from your site
▪ Prominent views to natural and cultural features – has social & economic value
▪ What is visible from the site is also important
▪ E.g Landmarks (positive) or industrial areas (negative)
▪ Visual quality of the site & the visible off-site features can influence the success of residential, commercial
and recreational projects
▪ E.g Residential real estate:
▪ Place premium on seclusion & screening from off-site locations
▪ E.g. proximity to a nearby highway is undesirable and the layout needs to limit the view of, and noise from the
highway
▪ Visibility of unsightly on-and off-site features are also important
▪ Landfills, overhead wires, industrial sites
Sensory Perception – Visual Quality
▪ Not just about limiting the negative but taking advantage of the positive visual quality
▪ Views to historical, prominent or beautiful landmarks or scenery should be incorporated into the
design of the site
Sensory Perception – Noise & Odours
▪ Noise from the adjacent land uses can influence feasibility of certain type of developments
▪ E.g Residential area next to a highway or industrial area is not desirable
▪ Even something like a kindergarten can be problematic – e.g. if you want to develop an office next
door to it
▪ Recreation areas next to a noisy road not desirable
▪ Have to take different times of day into consideration
Sensory Perception – Noise & Odours
▪ Odours from industrial areas or polluted river systems also influence what can be
developed on a site
▪ Odour can originate from far away – downwind conditions