12th July 2005
Austin Court, Birmingham, B1 2NP

Download workshop proceedings (373kB)

Landscape Character Assessment has proved an important tool for the planning and management of rural landscapes. Urban characterisation is increasingly used to help understand urban landscapes and to plan positively for the future. A shared understanding of urban and rural landscapes will help to encourage integrated planning and sustainable development. This workshop explored the common ground and contrasts between urban and rural characterisation and provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about how the techniques can be practically applied.

Landscape Character Assessment and urban characterisation are both concerned with gaining an understanding of all landscapes, not just those areas that are considered to be particularly valued or historic. Both approaches clearly separate the relatively value-free process of characterisation from the subsequent making of judgements based on an understanding of character. Both techniques integrate the diverse views of stakeholders and the knowledge of specialists to provide information about sense of place and help plan positive change in the landscape.

This workshop explored how approaches to understanding, planning and managing urban and rural landscapes can complement each other. It included presentations describing recent projects that have used characterisation in urban and urban-rural fringe landscapes, both in focussed urban studies and in broader projects integrating urban and rural characterisation and decision making. Open discussion allowed participants to explore the techniques, helping develop integrated approaches for managing future landscapes.

Speakers:

Jeremy Whitehand, The University of Birmingham:
Chair and introduction

Christine Tudor, The Countryside Agency LAR:
'An Introduction to Landscape Character In and Around Urban Areas'

Steve Pickles, Oxford City Council:
'A Character Assessment of Oxford in its Landscape Setting’: Taking it Forward'

Roger M. Thomas, English Heritage:
'English Heritage, the Historic Environment and Urban Characterisation'

Mike Shaw and Debbie Langley, Wolverhampton City Council:
'Historic Landscape Characterisation in an Urban Context: the Black Country'

Penny Boyes, LDA Design
'From Urban Character to Urban Form'

Karl Kropf, Roger Evans Associates
'Approaches to Urban Characterisation: Concepts and Applications'