A GIS based character appraisal toolkit

Abstract

Character appraisals are essential and vital in understanding an area. Drawing on urban conservation techniques and guidelines the use of a character appraisal toolkit may assist in developing sustainable plans and launching viable environmental management solutions. There have been various attempts to create and adapt character appraisal toolkits especially in the realm of urban conservation or cultural landscape management but also in real estate with the application of economic and environmental indicators. The understanding of space through the collation of data and evidence may not necessarily give a holistic picture. The better understanding of an area may only be achieved through an integrated approach. This is more significant in landscape appraisal. The multi-layering of data and specifications of a given area, site or heritage assets contribute directly to its character and value and the reading of the same. Moreover a given landscape or site may include a variety of complex systems with varying characteristics and dynamics determining value. This study delves into best practice guidelines in the realm of character assessment taking into consideration extant tools as in the case of; UNESCO criteria, ICOMOS Heritage@Risk assessment and the English Heritage approach. This paper considers the applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool to stimulate an integrated approach with reference to planning regimes and policy development mechanisms. This paper takes stock of various proposals developed in the past decade in the application of GIS for character appraisals and urban conservation and proposes a structure for an information model.