Evaluating waterfront landscape aesthetics as a tourist attraction: Case study of the river Tisza, Hungary

Abstract

This paper represents a methodological attempt to evaluate the natural and built riverside environment of the Tisza river, from the point of view of landscape-and environmental aesthetics and features, which might serve as background for river tourism. The research methodology was based on the theoretical division of the riverside into more or less homogeneous , easily observable sections (called visual units), and then they were evaluated one by one. Objectivity was one of the most important aims; researchers attempted to achieve it by applying the value-selection method. Following the evaluation of each sample section of the riverside area, all sections were then assigned to three different categories. Those sections which were capable of generating positive feelings were placed under the category 'Attractive', those which were capable of arousing less enthusiasm were assigned to the category of 'Neutral', and those which could be characterized by visually conflicting elements were categorized as 'Unattractive/Repulsive'. As a result of the findings of a tour of inspection and the compilation and survey of the photo documentation at the researchers' disposal, they were able to point out that the sample area was not characterized by visual conflicts of considerable significance, consequently , none of the chosen sample units fell into the category of 'Unattractive'.