Visuals and Aesthetics

As advertisers know, what something looks like is important.  This is not to say that sound environmental management always looks good, or that harmful practices always look bad (although that is often the case).  One of the great dangers in focusing too much on appearance is that a developer might be able to improve the appearance while still killing fish or dumping waste.  It is still often the practice for logging companies to hide clear-cuts from view by placing a thin row of trees along the highway. 

Nonetheless, a bad appearance can get people emotionally involved in an issue, resulting in public pressure for change (see the Guide page on Getting your Message Out).  It can also discourage tourism, resulting in an economic argument against unsightly development. 

There are no general legal or planning requirements to keep a development aesthetically pleasing.  Nor is there any right of neighbours to a quality view.  However, visual appearance is often considered in planning, and can sometimes be used indirectly to push for better environmental practices.   

Some key types of planning where visuals may be considered include:

·         Sustainable Resource Management Planning – Government may set “visual quality objectives” to inform planning by private companies on Crown Land.

·         Forestry Planning – Logging can be located and designed so as to minimize the visibility of the logging.

·         Local Government Planning – In approving zoning applications (particularly to allow for a particular development) a local government may well consider the eventual look of the development, or the area generally.   

Any government agency or company that is concerned about its reputation may well listen to community concerns about appearance.  It is often an easy concern to address and has great benefits in terms of community satisfaction with the development. 

Related Guide Pages:

·         Local Government Act – Zoning Bylaws

·         Local Government Act – Official Community Plan

·         Forestry Planning

·         Sustainable Resource Management Planning

For more information about Visuals and Aesthetics:

·         SmartGrowth BC – An organization dedicated to planning urban areas in a responsible manner.