Landscape assessment

Landscape assessment is a sub-category of environmental assessment (or EIA) concerned with quality assessment of the landscape. Landscape quality is assessed either as part of a strategic planning process or in connection with a specific development which will have an impact on the landscape.

The term 'landscape assessment' can be used to mean either:
* "visual" assessment. this would look at the nature and extent of visual impacts and qualities relating to locations and proposals. UK-related guidance on the preparation of these assessments is given in Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment published by SPON press on behalf of the Landscape Institute & Institute of Environmental Management, 2002.
* "character" assessment. This includes assessments of each aspect of the landscape: geology, hydrology, soils, ecology, settlement patterns, cultural history, scenic characteristics, land use etc. It typically includes distinct descriptive and evaluative components. Guidance on the preparation of these assessments is given in Landscape Character assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland published by the Countryside Agency & Scottish Natural Heritage, April 2002.

Since landscape assessments are intended to help with the conservation and enhancement of environmental goods, it is usually necessary to have a fully geographical landscape assessment as a stage in the process of EIA and landscape planning.

ee also

*Landscape architecture
*Collective landscape
*Environmental good

External links

* [http://www.landscapecharacter.org.uk/ UK Landscape Character Network (includes directory of Landscape Character assessments available in the UK)]
* [http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/CC/landscape_character_assesment.asp/ UK Countryside Agency information on Landscape Character Assessment]