other development if cumulative impacts are to be assessed.
4. Baseline Study
4.1 The baseline study shall at least cover the following aspects:
- physical aspects such as geology, landform, drainage, soil, climate,
including micro-climate;
- human aspects such as cultural features, landscape history, buildings
and settlements, people affected and their perception of the landscape
character; and
- aesthetic aspects such as the views available, visual amenity
and visual character.
4.2 The baseline study shall present an appraisal of the landscape
and visual resource of the study area. It shall focus particularly
on the sensitivity of the landscape and visual system and its ability
to accommodate change.
5. Review of the Planning and Development Control Framework
5.1 Plans or planning studies such as development statements, outline
development plans, outline zoning plans, layout plans or planning
briefs, and lease conditions may contain guidelines and control on
urban design concept, building height profile, designated view corridors;
specific design elements including areas of high landscape value,
coastal protection areas, landmarks and monuments, special design
areas and open space network; and other design specifications that
may affect the architectural form of the project. A review of these
documents shall provide an insight to the future outlook of the area
affected and the ways the project can fit into the wider environment.
6. Landscape Impact Assessment Study
6.1 Landscape impact assessment shall assess :
- direct impacts upon specific landscape elements;
- more subtle effects upon the overall pattern of landscape elements
that give rise to landscape character, and local and regional distinctiveness;
- impacts upon acknowledged special interests or values such as
areas of high landform with special landscape significance.
6.2 Examples of special landscape features which may contribute to
the landscape character of a site, an area or a region include:
- areas of distinctive landscape character
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- e.g. the "genius loci" or characteristics patterns
and combinations of landform and land coverage creating a sense of place;
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- e.g. country parks, protected coastline, areas of high
landscape value, woodland, scenic spots;
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- other conservation interest
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- e.g. Nature Reserves, SSSIs, designed buffer zones, wetlands,
historic landscapes, sites or buildings of culture heritage;
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- specific landscape elements
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- e.g. hilltops, ridgeline, coastline, river valleys, woodlands,
ponds.
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7. Visual Impact Assessment Study
7.1 Visual impact assessment shall identify and predict the type
and extent of visual impacts relating to:
- visual compatibility with surroundings
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- e.g. massing, height, shape, proportion and rhythms of
building elements, colour and material used;
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- e.g. blocking of views towards existing landscape features;
or existing/planned view corridors towards landmarks and notable
features;
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- improvement of visual quality
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- e.g. clearance of visual obstruction and blight, appealing
design features that enhance attractiveness of the landscape;
and
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- glare from direct or reflected sunlight or man-made light
source
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- e.g. uncomfortable eye feeling caused by light interference
from structures faced with mirror or polished materials or
from direct light sources generated from the proposed development.
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7.2 In assessing visual impacts, it is important to cover all possible
viewpoints. If this is not practicable, key viewpoints shall be selected
on major routes e.g. roads, walkways, footpaths and hiking tracks;
and at activity nodes e.g. residential areas, important public open
spaces and landmarks etc. The location of these viewpoints shall be
typical.
7.3 When considering views from a main route, it will be more effective
to have a sequence of views recording the changing visual events along
the route.
8. Mitigation Measures
8.1 Mitigation is not only concerned with damage reduction but shall
include consideration of potential landscape visual enhancement. Wherever
possible design that would enhance the landscape and visual quality
shall be adopted.
8.2 Alternative design that would avoid or reduce the identified
impacts on landscape, or that would make the project visually compatible
with the setting shall be thoroughly examined before adopting other
mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts.
8.3 Possible measures that may mitigate or compensate the impacts
include:
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- e.g. screen painting, facade treatment, colour scheme and
texture of materials used; and
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- e.g. landscape treatment, compensatory planting, creation
of interesting landscape or visual features.
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8.4 A practical programme and funding proposal for the implementation
of the recommended mitigation measures shall be worked out. These
shall be integrated with the overall development programme and costing
of the whole project.
9. Presentation Methods
9.1 To illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of a project,
as well as effects of the mitigation measures, choice of appropriate
presentation methods is important. These methods include perspective
drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, photographs on scaled
physical models, photo-retouching and photomontage. These methods
shall be used extensively to facilitate communication among the concerned
parties.
9.2 The technical details of preparing the illustrations shall be
recorded. To facilitate verification of the accuracy, the Authority
will reserve the right to examine the full details.
