Making use of Historic Landscape Characterisation

Historic characterisation, the representation and interpretation of the historic attributes of place, has been an important tool available for those concerned with the wider historic environment and heritage management for more than twenty years. In England, the coverage of Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC), undertaken by individual local authorities with support from English Heritage, is over 95% of the country and the Historic Seascape Characterisation is also nearing completion. Large parts of the countryside have been subjected to Historic Farmstead Characterisation and many urban areas have been subjected to metro-HLCs or Extensive Urban Surveys.

The approach was developed to raise awareness of the value of the whole historic environment, to support the work of a wide range of actors engaged in strategic planning, heritage management and partnership working, and to stimulate more detailed archaeological and historical research.

This day course reviews where we currently are with various forms of historic characterisation in England, discusses how they are being utilised at present, and how they may develop and be used in the future. The course is aimed at all those with an interest in the understanding, management, protection and presentation of the English historic landscape.

Description

Trends in planning (localism, neighbourhood planning, etc), land management (integrated approaches, involving partnership working) and landscape research (inter-disciplinary working, rapid broadening of the range of subjects being examined) reflect wider trends towards characterisation in general. Characterisation does not diminish the need for detailed recording and interpretation, but instead can contextualise that, extend the application of understanding that develops from it, and stimulate further work. This is a one day course on Wednesday 11 June.