449
Photo 10.
P1
Photo 11.
P2
Photo 12.
P3
Photo 13.
P4
table at a reconnaissance level. An initial
zonation of the image provided a basic phy
siographic structure of the region which was
verified by fieldwork. The differences visi
ble on the LANDSAT image relate to altitude,
vegetation type, climate, soils and geomor
phology. This basic structure must be under
stood by landscape planners if they are to be
effective, as land-use, living environment and
community facilities will differ greatly be
tween the plains and the mountains around
Nairobi.
Because the image is itself a record of the
integration of all components in the Nairobi
environment, the impact of man on the bio
physical environment is visible in terms of
agricultural practices and urban settlement.
When mapped at the 1:1M scale, this provides
a useful nine-zone division from which a plan
ner can abstract areas requiring more detailed
study. By assembling data related to an over
view from a satellite, the larger context of
landscape planning studies is apparent.
The cost of LANDSAT data in relation to
other data types is relatively small and pro
vides a rapidly interpretable basis for fur
ther study. Fieldwork relating to the image
is particularly cost effective, but the 1:1M
product is limited and larger scale products
would probably be more useful.
Overall the integration of all factors con
tained in a LANDSAT image is a valuable con
tribution to landscape planners. Extracting
various elements from this for further study
is a relatively easy process.
Specific conclusions are:
From visual analysis of a LANDSAT FCC at
1:1M scale, a viable physiographic map can
be compiled which can be verified on the
ground.
The wide availability of LANDSAT data means
that such maps can be prepared for almost
any location in the world, a benefit to
those areas where aircraft data are not
available, and in particular in developing
countries with little planning data avail
able .
The physiographic map can be further elab
orated into a land-cover map with rela
tively little cost by fieldwork. The field
work is made more efficient by the satel
lite data showing location of major fea
tures .
The present study using one date of imagery
only, could be improved by using data
showing seasonal change.
The land-cover map is a valuable step to
wards collection of data for a detailed
land-use map.
Because the LANDSAT image gives an inte
grated picture of a 185 km x 185 km area,
the interpretation of the picture builds
and reinforces the understanding of the
relationship between landscape components.
REFERENCES
Anderson, J.R. et al. 1976. A Land-use and
Land-cover Classification Sytem for Use
with Remote Sensor Data. Geological Survey
Professional Paper 964. Washington DC:
US Government Printing Office.
Duchhart, I. 1986. Inleiding landschapsplan-
ning in ontwikkelingslanden. Wageningen:
Landbouw Hogeschool.
Government of Kenya 1983. Development Plan
1984-1988. Nairobi: Government Printer.
McHarg, I.L. 1969. Design with Nature.
Philadelphia: Natural History Press.
Tolba, M. 1982. Opening address to the Session
of a Special Character at the 10 t Governing
Council of the United Nations Environmental
Program. Nairobi: UNEP.
