An intensive brainstorming session traditionally used by architecture students. It now describes a collaborative process that is used with members of the public and professionals together to create a vision for large developments.

The process of mapping the extent of past and present land use areas, categorised according to their form, function and period of origin.

An area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors. (Article 1, European Landscape Convention Council of Europe, 2002). The explanatory note expands on this definition as follows: "Landscape" is defined as a zone or area as perceived by local people or visitors, who [..]

The ability of a landscape to accommodate different amounts of change or development of a specific type. Capacity reflects the landscape's sensitivity to the type of change, and the value attached to the landscape, and is therefore dependent on judgements about the desirability of retaining landscape characteristics and the acceptability of th [..]

The distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occurs consistently in a particular type of landscape. (para 7.8, Landscape character assessment guidance for England and Scotland. The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002).

Unique geographical areas of a particular landscape character type. Landscape character areas take on the names of specific places, such as 'Galloway uplands' and 'Dumfries coastlands'. See also landscape character type.

The process of systematic description, classification and analysis of landscape, in order to identify, describe and understand its character. The scale and detail of the assessment will depend upon the purpose for which it is being undertaken. (para 7.8, Landscape character assessment guidance for England and Scotland. The Countryside Agency and Sc [..]

Distinct types of landscape which are generic in character in that they may occur in different parts of the country, but wherever they are they share broadly similar combinations of geology, topography, drainage patterns, vegetation and historical land use and settlement pattern. Names are generic, for example 'moorland slopes and hills', [..]

The process of identifying the character of different landscapes in any particular area and sorting them into distinctive landscape character types. The landscape character types can be mapped and described in a systematic way at various scales.

The degree to which the individual characteristics of a landscape are in a good state of repair or health from an ecological, functional and visual perspective. The term 'landscape condition' is an attribute, not a valuation like 'quality', although the two may be used synonymously. Condition and value are separate issues - some [..]