Visual threshold carrying capacity (VTCC) in urban landscape management: A case study of Seoul, Korea

The deterioration of the landscape in downtown Seoul has resulted mainly from the cumulative effects of large-scale developments. This article presents the Visual Threshold Carrying Capacity (VTCC) approach for maintaining and enhancing the landscape quality of the area. VTCC can be generally defined as the visual standard by which the value and significance of landscapes can be maintained. Using GIS and computer graphics techniques, VTCCs in this study are analyzed in two main respects: (1) the visibility of landscape resources, and (2) street scale. Subsequently, areas for intensive landscape management can be identified based upon the VTCCs established. The VTCC approach presented in this article integrates visual considerations with the process of developmental decision-making and thereby establishes a visually sound framework for the formulation of development proposals. Further research however, should be conducted to test the transferability and applicability of this approach to other urban landscapes and their related problems.