Reverse visual impact assessment (R-VIA) for offshore wind projects: An integrated spatial method for anticipatory, holistic and socially accepted planning
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Public concerns about visual impacts from offshore wind farms (OWFs) have increased in recent years, particularly in countries with significant offshore wind potential, such as Greece. Among the factors influencing site selection processes, visibility remains critical, yet highly subjective in impact assessment studies. Conventional visibility analyses focus on predefined turbine locations, limiting their utility in early planning stages. This paper introduces a Reverse Visual Impact Assessment (R-VIA) framework that shifts the focus from energy infrastructure to observer locations along and near the coast. By integrating distance zones, visual prominence, and meaningful visibility, R-VIA quantifies exposure to theoretical turbine installations and produces cumulative maps illustrating spatial patterns of visual vulnerability. Applied to the Diapontia Islands (Ionian Sea, Greece), a region where social disagreement about the officially proposed development site is quite pronounced, the framework (a) generates reverse-visibility maps that anticipate socio-economic impacts, (b) enables ex-ante assessment independent of project-specific layouts, and (c) supports participatory planning, multi-criteria decision-making, and both Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes. Results indicate that R-VIA can inform offshore wind development that aligns with local values and expectations, offering a transferable, evidence-based tool for socially inclusive and environmentally sensitive planning.
Authors: Loukas Katikas, Vassiliki Vassilopoulou
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,900
OpenAlex ID: W7147349466