Mapping the attractiveness of the Dutch countryside: a GIS-based landscape appreciation model

With the increased importance of the Dutch countryside as a setting for leisure activities, the rel-evance of resident appreciation of the surrounding landscape has increased. GLAM can predict this appreciation based on nationally available GIS data. Version 2 of the model (GLAM-2) was calibrated using attractiveness ratings from a national survey. Of the six initial indicators, four – namely Naturalness, Historical distinctiveness, Skyline disturbance, and Urbanization – made a significant predictive contribution. The final model was evaluated using data from another Dutch survey of landscape appreciation. GLAM-2 explained 47 % of the variance in the average appreciation rating of 52 areas. Given that the landscape’s quality as assessed by experts clearly differs from its attractiveness to lay people, GLAM-2 constitutes a useful tool for policy makers and spatial planners who are interested in local resident appreciation. The model is, however, open to improvement