A River Runs Through It Claire Thirlwall

www.thirlwall-associates.co.uk

A River Runs Through It

The Importance of Landscape Context in River Restoration

Claire Thirlwall CMLI


Is it Protected?

• 77% of the English landscape is not protected by a major landscape designation

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (15%) National Parks (8%)


Introduction

• The importance of landscape context in river restoration

• What we need to consider

• Methods of assessment© Thirlwall Associates 2010


What is Landscape Context?

• Industrial• Geological• Social• Cultural• Historic• Personal/Emotional

© Dedham Vale AONB 2010


The European Landscape Convention (ELC)

“Acknowledging that the landscape is an important part of the quality of life for people everywhere: … in degraded areas as well as in areas of high quality, in areas recognised as being of outstanding beauty as well as everyday areas.”

© Paul Gibbs 2010


Assessing Landscape Context

• Desk top survey• Face to face meetings• Postcard surveys • Visit outside work hours• Social media/website• Telephone • Events or workshops

© Thirlwall Associates 2010


Conclusions

• Consider the wider landscape context of the section of river to be restored

• Degraded sites deserve just as much attention as areas of outstanding natural beauty

• Taking the time to understand the landscape context will result in a higher quality final project


Thank you!

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time.…

© D Gorton, by kind permissionA River Runs Through It

I am haunted by waters.”

A River Runs Through It Claire Thirlwall

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