Historic Landscape Characterisation: Technical Approaches Beyond Theory

Abstract

This paper describes how Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) projects are implemented using Geographical Information Systems. Today, HLCs are still often considered simple thematic maps to visualise landscape histories, but they are more than that–spatial databases that serve more than one purpose and could be integrated in planning processes with different types of aims. By explaining how historic characterisation is carried out in GIS environments and how future methodological developments can unlock HLC’s potential in spatial analysis, this paper seeks to enhance the integration of HLC in various spatially driven projects and processes. While exploring the technical aspects of HLC a further purpose of the paper is to reach out towards other approaches (e.g. Landscape Character Assessment) to be better equipped in finding solutions to complement them.