VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF WIND TURBINES ON LANDSCAPE IN ŠILALĖ REGION

Abstract

Due to their visual – spatial parameters, these sites are becoming dominant verticals thus changing the local landscape and its visual quality, which in turn determines the quality of the living environment. In order to preserve the identity of the regional landscape, it is important to estimate the potential impact of both existing and planned wind turbines on the landscape. Visual impact of wind turbines depends on a number of features: the size, color and shape of the turbine, observation distance, landscape diversity, time of day, and many other factors. Visual impact of wind farms located in the region of Šilalė is analyzed in the paper. The main aim of the paper is after comparison of theoretical sizes of visual influence zones and degrees of visual significance with the results of empirical research, to establish possible ways of elaboration of methodology of visual impact assessment establishing visual influence zones. The main results of the research are established major factors of visual impact of wind farms, sizes of zones of visual influence and character of visual impact in different zones of visual influence.

Keywords: wind turbines, environmental impact assessment, the influence of wind turbines on environment.

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2015.005