ABSTRACT
In this short Conclusion, the book’s editors seek to summarise briefly the positive outcomes and the big advances that have emerged from 30 years of landscape characterisation, but mainly to identify areas where reflection is needed on ways ahead. Some of the principal points discussed include the importance of appropriate and supportive political and institutional frameworks, the continuing problematics of participation in landscape character approaches, and the need to promote a stronger degree of joined-up thought and action that uses landscape as a common thread. This latter requires researchers and practitioners to persuade governments and the public mind that the broad concept of landscape can be a tool for addressing social, cultural and environmental challenge.
