The use of scale-free networks theory in modeling landscape aesthetic value networks in urban areas

Abstract

The main aim of the research was to create models of landscape aesthetic network, to determine the character of those networks and to give a proposition of usefulness of the proposed modeling approach in the urban area. Landscape aesthetic value data which was necessary to create network models was collected using the method which is appropriate to urban areas. Models of aesthetic landscape networks were drawn on the basis of six ways of linking values: the maximal increase in value, the minimal increase in value, the maximal decrease in value, the minimal decrease in value, the maximal difference in value and the minimal difference in value. The distribution of nodes and links showed that the networks were scale-free. This empirical statement gives scientific basis to perform simulations of the changes in their structures, which in turn allows modeling certain behaviors of the system. While identifying the developed network models of landscape value as scale-free, the author identifies their nodes and centers, and simulates changes that occur in a given model as a result of removing chosen nodes, centers and elevating certain nodes to the rank of centers. Simulations show what kind of action can be taken to optimize the organization of the urbanized area, both for the development of tourism and other functions of the space.

Keywords

• scale-free network
• model
• landscape
• value
• spatial planning
• spatial analyses