Public Perception of Accommodation Structures in the Cultural Landscape: An Exploration of Integration and Significance

Since the end of the communist era in Romania (c. 1989) an economic shift has influenced new construction in the rural parts of the region. New construction faces challenges due to a potential clash between the historic architectural style of the region and the surrounding environment that has been highlighted by the architectural guidebooks from the Romanian Order of Architects. Research surrounding the preference of the region's inhabitants is limited. A survey was conducted to analyze three main questions and their significance for individuals native to the region and for specialists. This survey addresses how the respondents (1) will define the blending (and the differences between blending and integration), (2) how respondents evaluate the blending of construction styles, and (3) if it is important to pay attention to the visual impact of new construction. These architectural considerations were identified after a literature review illuminated concerns regarding landscape blending disparities due to new construction and where the survey was conducted using a diverse sample population of individuals who were engaged in the study via social media. Respondents were shown images of buildings and asked to rate the blending of these structures with the cultural landscape using a scale from one to five. The survey data were collected and analyzed to determine preferences in each key area. The findings indicate that respondents perceive blending as a valuable tool, with a significant visual impact, favoring positive examples irrespective of their professional background. Notably, there is a substantial preference for positive examples over negative ones regarding color. However, respondents without experience in the field tend to choose negative options more often. Researchers anticipate that these findings could inform the planning process and aid in seamlessly integrating new construction with the traditional and natural elements of the region.