18th March 2009, Manchester Town Hall

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We live in landscapes that have been changed through the centuries by people modifying their environment. The European Landscape Convention, which came into force in the UK in 2007, defines a landscape as an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors. Our landscapes continue to change; people’s perceptions change all the time too.

The Convention highlights the need to identify and assess landscapes. To do this requires an understanding of how landscapes have changed throughout history. This understanding is needed to inform work with local communities or developers to shape continuing landscape change.

This workshop covered recent developments in characterisation techniques for landscapes in country, town and at sea. It included presentations by people shaping policies for historic landscape and applying the latest techniques to their work. It also looked ahead to future landscape change. There were opportunities to pose questions to the speakers and for open discussion.

The workshop was the latest of a popular series of topical workshops organised by the Landscape Character Network. The workshop was aimed at anyone with an interest in landscape protection, management and planning. Workshop attendance was limited to around 60 places. It was organised for Natural England and English Heritage and administered by Countryscape.

Speakers:

Peter Herring: English Heritage

'Our historic landscape'

Joy Ede: Natural England

'Influencing and Managing England's Historic Landscapes into the Future - Natural England's Role'

Andy Wigley: Shropshire County Council

'Integration and outreach: some examples from Shropshire'

Bryn Tapper: Cornwall County Council

'Characterising England's Historic Seascapes - Presenting a Method of Historic Seascape Characterisation (HSC)'

Lesley Mitchell / Karl Lunn: Greater Manchester Archaeology Unit

'Greater Manchester Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation'

Graham Fairclough: English Heritage

'Landscape isn't what it used to be'