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

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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.

Updated: October 11, 2015 — 4:19 am