**1. Introduction**

216 Landscape Planning

Paganová, V. & Maceková M. (2011). Significance of the phenotypic classification of the

Rittershoffer, B. (1998). Förderung seltener Baumarten im Wald. Auf den Spuren der Wildbirne. InAllgemeine Fosrtzeitschrift /Der Wald, 16, p. 860-862. Sæbo, A., Benedikz, T. & Randrup, T. (2003). Selection of trees for urban forestry in the Nordic countries. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 2 (2003): 101-114 Sæbo, A., Borzan Ž., Ducatilion, C., Hatizstathis A., Lagerström, T., Supuka J., García-

Sand, M. (1994). Design and species selection to reduce urban heat island and conserve

Simpson, J.R. (1998). Urban forest impacts on regional space conditioning energy use: Sacramento and county case study. Journal of Arboriculture. 24(4):201-214. Sjöman, H. (2012). Trees for Tough Urban Sites. Doctoral thesis, Swedish University of

Spellenberg, I. & Given, D. (2008). Trees in urban and city environments: a review of the

Sultan, S.E. (2004). Promising directions in plant phenotypic plasticity. In: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. Elsevier GmbH, 2004, Vol. 6/4, pp. 227-233 Šenšel, R. Paganová, V. (2010) Identification key of the wild pear (*Pyrus pyraster* L.

Šesták, J. & Čatský J. (1966). Metody studia fotosyntetické produkce rostlin, Akademia,

Šmelko, Š. (2000). Dendrometria. Vysokoškolská učebnica. Vydavateľstvo TU vo Zvolene.

URL1: *Inventarizace lesů, Metodika venkovního sběru dat* [cit. 2011-09-09]. Dostupné na internete: http://www.uhul.cz/il/metodika/metodika6/kap\_3\_6\_0.pdf

Valladares, F., Gianoli, E. & Gómez, J., M. (2007). Ecological limits to plant phenotypic

Westphal, L.M. (2003). Urban greening and social benefits: A study of empowerment

Wilhelm, G., J. (1998). Im Vergleich mit Elsbeere und Speierling Beobachtungen zur

Wu R. & Stettler, R.F. (1998). Quantitative genetics of growth and development in *Populus.*  III. Phenotypic plasticity of crown structure and function. *Heredity* 81: 299–310.

URL2: ImageJ. Image Processing and Analysis in Java. http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/

Arborétum Mlyňany SAV. p. 136-142. ISBN 978-80-970849-8-1.

Springer Verlad. Berlin Heidelberg. 257-280 ISBN 354025126X

American forests.

ISSN 1335-2563.

ČSAV Praha, 393 p.

ISBN 80-228-0962-4, 399s.

plasticity. New Phytologist 176: 749-763

Wildbirne. AFZ. Der Wald, *16*: 856859.

outcomes. Journal of Arboriculture 29(3): 137-147.

Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp 2012

cities. In : Landscape Review, 2008, 12 (2) 19-31.

Service tree (*Sorbus domestica* L.) in Slovakia. Význam fenotypovej klasifikácie jarabiny oskorušovej (*Sorbus domestica* L.) v podmienkach SR. In: Aktuálne otázky štúdia introdukovaných drevín : Proceedings of the scientific conference.

Valdecantos, L., Rego, F. & Van Slycken, J. (2005). The Selection of Plant Materials for Street Trees, Park Trees and Urban Woodland. In: Konindejik, C., Nilsson, K., Randrup, T., Schpperijn, J. (eds.) Urban Forests and Trees: A Reference Book. 2005.

energy. In: Proceedings from the Sixth National Urban Forest Conference: Growing Green Communities. Minneapolis, Minn. (pp. 148-151). Washington D.C.:

selection criteria with particular reference to nature conservation in New Zealand

Burgsd.) - phenological stages and potential for application in research and practice. Acta horticulturae et regiotecturae*.* 2010. Vol. 13, spec. issue, s. 21--23. This paper presents a work that was developed during three years, in a partnership between the company EDP Distribuição, SA (Grupo EDP- Energias de Portugal SA) and the Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources of the University of Porto (CIBIO/ UP), financially supported by the PPDA - Promotion of Environmental Performance Plan approved by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE). The objective of this work was the production of a Manual of Good Integration Landscape Practices of the Infrastructure of the Distribution Network. This manual aims to present a set of strategies, guidelines and practices for landscaping integration, in mainland Portugal, of electrical infrastructures, namely: Substations, Lines of High, Medium and Low Voltage, Transformer Stations and Urban Cabinets.

The work had two major challenges: on the one hand, the development of technically sound solutions and proposals from the standpoint of landscape integration of these infrastructures, minimizing their impact; on the other hand, ensure ease of use and the application of this technical manual for non-specialists in the field of landscape. Thus, it was essential to know how the planning and design of these infrastructures in the company was carried out, developing a compatible methodology for landscape integration.

### **2. Conceptual process for the development of the manual**

The principle from which the methodological and conceptual process began, developed for the construction of this Manual of Good Integration Landscape Practices of Electrical Infrastructures (figure 1) was that electrical infrastructures cause always an impact in the landscape. On the majority of cases, this impact is negative since it causes an intrusion and a change in landscape character. Therefore, it is essential to analyze and study these two variables - the landscapes and the electrical infrastructures.

Concerning landscape, it is important to understand its character that reflects the interaction of the various components of landscape, namely physical, biological, social, cultural, economic and visual. The identification of the character of the landscape allows the identification of the types of landscape with homogeneous characteristics, which requires

Integration of Infrastructures in Landscape –

orography, and vegetation cover (figure 2).

Fig. 2. Conceptual Framework for the consultation of the Manual

An Opportunity to Landscape Planning Improvement 219

by the interaction of various ecological factors leading to a really rich and diverse landscape. This makes it advisable to attempt to identify homogeneous areas from the point of view of their character which is reflected in different types of landscape. The method developed for the identification of the types of landscapes, within this Manual, refers to a process of sequential selection of the main variables of the landscape, which ought to be considered as more relevant to landscape integration of electrical infrastructures: degree of urbanization,

Fig. 1. Conceptual process for the development of the Manual

similar interventions, i.e., it allows the assessment of the capability of each landscape in receiving (from a spatial and visual standpoint) elements foreign to its nature, such as electrical infrastructures.

In the study of the electrical infrastructures, on the one hand, legal and technical aspects, constraints to the implementation of each infrastructure, were taken into account. On the other hand, aspects of shape and size, essential for the determination of its visual and landscape impact, were considered.

In parallel, it was carried out a study of practical cases - international case studies already implemented and cases presented by EDP Distribution for which landscape integration proposals were developed. The process carried out in these studies and the results obtained in terms of proposals, contributed to the definition of measures that constitute the core of this Manual. For the compiling of these measures, in addition to the bibliography research, the practical application in specific cases of new or conversion layouts of infrastructures was essential. It was a joint work of the University of Porto and the technicians of the company, which has proved to be very important for the validation of the proposed measures. On the other hand, it was also essential as a means of raising awareness and to introduce new approaches to be applied by the company technicians.

Finally the input from stakeholders heard during this project was taken into account.

#### **3. Identification of landscape types**

Landscape is something very complex and variable that, in the Portuguese context, is heavily accentuated by the geographic location, the orographic variety of the country, and

similar interventions, i.e., it allows the assessment of the capability of each landscape in receiving (from a spatial and visual standpoint) elements foreign to its nature, such as

In the study of the electrical infrastructures, on the one hand, legal and technical aspects, constraints to the implementation of each infrastructure, were taken into account. On the other hand, aspects of shape and size, essential for the determination of its visual and

In parallel, it was carried out a study of practical cases - international case studies already implemented and cases presented by EDP Distribution for which landscape integration proposals were developed. The process carried out in these studies and the results obtained in terms of proposals, contributed to the definition of measures that constitute the core of this Manual. For the compiling of these measures, in addition to the bibliography research, the practical application in specific cases of new or conversion layouts of infrastructures was essential. It was a joint work of the University of Porto and the technicians of the company, which has proved to be very important for the validation of the proposed measures. On the other hand, it was also essential as a means of raising awareness and to introduce new

Finally the input from stakeholders heard during this project was taken into account.

Landscape is something very complex and variable that, in the Portuguese context, is heavily accentuated by the geographic location, the orographic variety of the country, and

Fig. 1. Conceptual process for the development of the Manual

approaches to be applied by the company technicians.

electrical infrastructures.

landscape impact, were considered.

**3. Identification of landscape types** 

by the interaction of various ecological factors leading to a really rich and diverse landscape. This makes it advisable to attempt to identify homogeneous areas from the point of view of their character which is reflected in different types of landscape. The method developed for the identification of the types of landscapes, within this Manual, refers to a process of sequential selection of the main variables of the landscape, which ought to be considered as more relevant to landscape integration of electrical infrastructures: degree of urbanization, orography, and vegetation cover (figure 2).

Fig. 2. Conceptual Framework for the consultation of the Manual

Integration of Infrastructures in Landscape –

Source: Google Earth

Source: Google Earth

An Opportunity to Landscape Planning Improvement 221

Fig. 4. Example of a consolidated rural settlement: São Marcos de Ataboeira.

Fig. 5. Example of a scattered settlement (dispersed/diffused building fabric) contiguous

and directly related to consolidated urban settlements: Joane – Guimarães

At first, two situations were distinguished which, by their nature, bring very different conditions: 'urban areas' and 'non-urban areas', i.e. landscapes dominated or not dominated, respectively, by the territory construction and infrastructure. Indeed, the urbanization of the territory and the consequent infrastructures introduce a significant artificiality that results in landscapes with a distinct character that encompass a very specific approach. 'Urban areas' are also landscapes where people stay longer, which means that social issues about the quality of the places where they live, work and enjoy themselves, must be taken into account.

Consequently, for what was named 'urban areas' two types of landscape were identified - (1) *consolidated urban and rural settlements* and (2) *scattered settlements*. This classification was defined taking into account the degree of urban consolidation, which is reflected into a higher or lower unity/density/continuity of built space. The first case presents a significant degree of consolidation while in the second case the level is low.

Since one of the aims of this process is to ensure ease of use and the application of this technical manual for non-specialists in the field of landscape, 'identification guides' were developed, using either illustrative processes or descriptive processes, to facilitate the procedures of identifying the type of landscape where an infrastructure will be placed.

In the 'identification guide for urban areas', *Google earth* was used as an universal tool of easy and simple use in order to find examples of *consolidated urban and rural settlements* (high/medium or medium/small density of building fabric inserted in the rural landscape) figures 3 and 4 – as well as examples of scattered settlements (dispersed/diffused building fabric contiguous and directly related to consolidated urban settlements and dispersed/diffused building fabric not contiguous to consolidated settlements) - figures 4 and 5.

Source: Google Earth

Fig. 3. Example of a consolidated urban settlement: Bragança.

Source: Google Earth

220 Landscape Planning

At first, two situations were distinguished which, by their nature, bring very different conditions: 'urban areas' and 'non-urban areas', i.e. landscapes dominated or not dominated, respectively, by the territory construction and infrastructure. Indeed, the urbanization of the territory and the consequent infrastructures introduce a significant artificiality that results in landscapes with a distinct character that encompass a very specific approach. 'Urban areas' are also landscapes where people stay longer, which means that social issues about the quality of the places where they live, work and enjoy themselves,

Consequently, for what was named 'urban areas' two types of landscape were identified - (1) *consolidated urban and rural settlements* and (2) *scattered settlements*. This classification was defined taking into account the degree of urban consolidation, which is reflected into a higher or lower unity/density/continuity of built space. The first case presents a significant

Since one of the aims of this process is to ensure ease of use and the application of this technical manual for non-specialists in the field of landscape, 'identification guides' were developed, using either illustrative processes or descriptive processes, to facilitate the procedures of identifying the type of landscape where an infrastructure will be placed.

In the 'identification guide for urban areas', *Google earth* was used as an universal tool of easy and simple use in order to find examples of *consolidated urban and rural settlements* (high/medium or medium/small density of building fabric inserted in the rural landscape) figures 3 and 4 – as well as examples of scattered settlements (dispersed/diffused building fabric contiguous and directly related to consolidated urban settlements and dispersed/diffused building fabric not contiguous to consolidated settlements) - figures 4 and 5.

degree of consolidation while in the second case the level is low.

Fig. 3. Example of a consolidated urban settlement: Bragança.

must be taken into account.

Source: Google Earth

Fig. 4. Example of a consolidated rural settlement: São Marcos de Ataboeira.

Source: Google Earth

Fig. 5. Example of a scattered settlement (dispersed/diffused building fabric) contiguous and directly related to consolidated urban settlements: Joane – Guimarães

Integration of Infrastructures in Landscape –

woodland (*montado*), arable crops).

4. Permanent crops, planted in line (e.g., vineyard, orchards).

An Opportunity to Landscape Planning Improvement 223

3. Sparse woods, scrubland, meadows, low annual crops (e.g. cork oak and holm oak open

5. Open water landscapes (e.g., lagoons, estuaries, reservoirs and large rivers)

Fig. 7. Map of the orographic units for landscape integration of electrical infrastructures

Source: Google Earth

Fig. 6. Example of a scattered settlement (dispersed/diffused building fabric) not contiguous to consolidated settlements: Avintes.

In what concerns 'identification guide for non-urban areas', the first variable taking into account was orography - on a national scale, the main distinguishing factor to consider is the terrain. Four macro units were identified:

Unit 1 - Prevalence of landscapes with very rugged topography, i.e. valleys and hills with slopes and significant variation in height

Unit 2 - Prevalence of moderately hilly landscapes, i.e. valleys and hills with moderate slopes and variation in height

Unit 3 - Prevalence of mostly flat landscape

Unit 4 - Landscape with very diverse orography, being present moderately rough and flat reliefs, with a strong component of urbanization and infrastructure.

The objective of mapping these units (figure 7) is to provide guidance for the identification of each of these types of orography, identifying the prevalence of each one of them in the different regions of the country. It should be mentioned that the Portuguese landscape is very diverse, with large variations in orography within a short geographical area - therefore it was decided to choose to identify large patches where such a geographical predominance is found.

The second variable taking into account to 'identification guide for non-urban areas' is vegetation, considering its higher or lower capacity of visual absorption. In this case a land use map should be employed and the following types are considered:


Fig. 6. Example of a scattered settlement (dispersed/diffused building fabric) not contiguous

In what concerns 'identification guide for non-urban areas', the first variable taking into account was orography - on a national scale, the main distinguishing factor to consider is the

Unit 1 - Prevalence of landscapes with very rugged topography, i.e. valleys and hills with

Unit 2 - Prevalence of moderately hilly landscapes, i.e. valleys and hills with moderate

Unit 4 - Landscape with very diverse orography, being present moderately rough and flat

The objective of mapping these units (figure 7) is to provide guidance for the identification of each of these types of orography, identifying the prevalence of each one of them in the different regions of the country. It should be mentioned that the Portuguese landscape is very diverse, with large variations in orography within a short geographical area - therefore it was decided to choose to identify large patches where such a geographical predominance is found. The second variable taking into account to 'identification guide for non-urban areas' is vegetation, considering its higher or lower capacity of visual absorption. In this case a land

1. Compact forests of evergreen and large species (e.g. maritime pine and eucalyptus). 2. Compact medium-sized woodlands (evergreen and/or deciduous, ex. native woods of

reliefs, with a strong component of urbanization and infrastructure.

use map should be employed and the following types are considered:

Source: Google Earth

to consolidated settlements: Avintes.

terrain. Four macro units were identified:

slopes and significant variation in height

Unit 3 - Prevalence of mostly flat landscape

slopes and variation in height

oak, umbrella pine…).


Fig. 7. Map of the orographic units for landscape integration of electrical infrastructures

Integration of Infrastructures in Landscape –

among others (fig.9).

Fig. 9. 3D simulations for different line designs

An Opportunity to Landscape Planning Improvement 225

Fifteen sets of Preventive Measures were considered, which are shortly described as follows: Set 1 - General measures for all infrastructures: they refer to issues related to preliminary studies of landscape, namely the analysis of the planning instruments of the territory, the detailed survey of the intervention area (terrain, type of land use, land cover, natural and cultural values, roads, existing overhead lines and other infrastructures), the production of studies on view-sheds and 3D simulation projects,

 Set 2 - General Measures for transmission and distribution lines: it includes examination and evaluation of the best solutions, based on studies of visibility from the main access points since landscapes with greater capacity for visual absorption should be considered as preferential for the implementation of lines. At the same time, landscapes with high scenic and natural/cultural values, namely those with a high degree of

It is also considered using the same pole as support for multiple distribution lines or for

 Set 3 - Transmission and distribution lines in urban centers and rural consolidated settlements: consider placing the line underground as a priority solution, particularly in heritage areas. When this is not possible, consider to associate the layout of the line with other linear infrastructures and preserve, free from infrastructures, the zone of visual

 Set 4 - Transmission and distribution lines in scattered urban zones and peripheries of the consolidated urban areas: select the most infrastructure areas (predominance of

Set 5 - Transmission and distribution lines in hilly areas: focus on the possible

 Set 6 - Transmission and distribution lines in valley areas: prioritize the layout in areas where the valley is more engaged, in other words at points of lower visibility, following

 Set 7 - Transmission and distribution lines in flat zones: take in account land use - if the line finds a forest patch, focus the layout on the inside of the patch; if the line finds a

integrity and conservation, should be kept free of overhead lines.

deployment in less illuminated slopes, avoiding the ridge lines.

various infrastructures, namely telecommunications.

influence of natural and cultural heritage elements.

roads, industrial areas...) for the layout of the line.

the natural depressions so that they are concealed.

**4.1 Preventive measures: Planning and design of the layout of infrastructures** 
