What is the purpose of a "landscape impact assessment"?

The purpose of a "landscape impact assessment" is to evaluate the potential environmental, social, and visual effects of a proposed development on a landscape. This comprehensive assessment plays a critical role in understanding how a development might alter natural and built environments, ultimately informing decision-making processes for planning and development.

Such assessments consider a wide range of factors, including ecological systems, aesthetic values, cultural significance, and the potential effects on local communities. By addressing these various aspects, landscape impact assessments help ensure that development projects proceed in a way that minimizes negative consequences and maximizes positive outcomes for both people and the environment.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the purpose of a landscape impact assessment. Promoting development without regard for impacts, reducing the scope of assessments, or focusing solely on construction costs would undermine the very principle of responsible and sustainable planning that landscape impact assessments aim to uphold.