An Attempt to Evaluate the Aesthetics of a Waterfront Landscape as a Tourist Attraction

Abstract

Our paper represents a methodological attempt to evaluate the natural and built riverside environment of the river Tisza, from the point of view of environmental- and landscape aesthetics, features, which might serve as background for river tourism. Our 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. During our work 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 characterised 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 it 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’.