b'DRONESTHE USE OF DRONES IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IS NOT LIMITED TO VIAS; LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO MAXIMIZING THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT DRONES CAN PROVIDE FOR THE PROFESSION. There are viewpoints that may be required for a VIA that aredevelopment can be represented using a drone since the inaccessible or hard to capture with a handheld camera. Withdevelopment does not yet exist.the NEPDA touching various locations in both Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario, at times a viewpoint from the waterbody isIt is not being suggested to replace human-scale photos that necessary. The consultant preparing the study would have toare taken at 1.5-1.8 metres in height with drone photos, but rent a boat to capture photos, whereas a drone pilot can flyrather to supplement the photographs required by the NEC to the drone out to the lake and take photos at a height of 1.5-1.8give the study site a broader context. As mentioned previously, metres, all while staying on shore themselves.the drone could be used to capture imagery that is difficult to get with a handheld camera and capture aerial imagery Linear views along the Bruce Trail may also be challengingat a fraction of the cost of traditional aircraft and at a higher to capture with a handheld camera but can be facilitated withresolution than satellite imagery. drones. Video footage along the Bruce Trail or roadways canPhotos and videos taken with drones can be used to conduct help landscape architects understand the visual impactsother site analyses and inventory current conditions to inform of proposed development while being in motion, evendesign decisions. Drones can also be used for site inspections though the NEC currently requires photos to capture aduring construction, as well as document post-construction stationaryexperience.conditions for monitoring or promotional purposes. The use Field demonstrations to test the visibility of proposedof drones in landscape architecture is not limited to VIAs; structures using balloons or cranes have been usedlandscape architects should be looking into maximizing the by consultants conducting VIA studies to satisfy NECopportunities that drones can provide for theprofession. requirements. This is an area of drone applications that isHow do we get more landscape architects using drones? still being explored, where drones could replace balloons orIts important to note that not all landscape architects conduct cranes, but they need to be highly noticeable in order to meetVIA studies, but those currently doing that work, and landscape the objective of visibility field testing. Drones can also createarchitects in general, may see the value in using drones. panoramic photos easily by pivoting the camera or the drone itself, with less human error than taking panoramic photosTransport Canada, the agency that regulates drone use with handheld cameras, even with the use of tripods.federally, projects that drone use will continue to grow in the What about the current Niagara Escarpment Commissioncountry. As of February 2023, there were approximately 74,000 technical criteria for Visual Impact Assessments? Arentregistered drones, compared to 37,000 registered traditional aircraft. Also, over 88,000 drone pilot certificates have been there requirements for the photos taken?issued since the drone regulations were adopted in 2019.As the NEC requires photos that simulate the human or public view experience at a height of 1.5-1.8 metres, drone photosThe first step to using drones is to learn about the different from higher altitudes would be considered supplementarytypes of drones and the general rules for flying drones in methodology to the NEC technical criteria. Drones can alsoCanada. As they are federally regulated, the rules are going to provide a sense of scale, especially with plan view images,be the same for someone flying a drone in Ontario as someone which are images looking straight down from the aircraft/ flying one in British Columbia. Transport Canadas website drone. This adds context to a site that cannot be viewed fromhas numerous resources about drone regulations and how a human scale. Views through windows from the proposedto fly one safely and legally. Before writing an operators 14 2023/24 OALA SOURCE GUIDE'