LANDMAP - the landscape atlas

LANDMAP assesses the diversity of landscapes within Wales. It identifies and explains their most important characteristics and qualities - whether they are ordinary, but locally important landscapes, or nationally recognised spectacular landscapes.

LANDMAP, the Welsh approach to landscape assessment, will achieve complete quality assured coverage in 2008. LANDMAP, introduced in 1997, was revolutionised in 2003 with the introduction of a benchmark methodology and quality assurance process to ensure consistency, accuracy and accessibility of landscape information in Wales. The approach has matured through the continued input and experience from local authority LANDMAP Managers, the aspect specialists collecting the information and the steerage from the Quality Assurance Panel resulting in an outstanding nationally consistent resource for landscape planning and decision-making.

LANDMAP is a GIS (Geographical Information System) based landscape resource where landscape characteristics, qualities and influences on the landscape are recorded and evaluated into a nationally consistent data set.

Specialists collect LANDMAP Information in a structured and rigorous way that is defined by five methodological chapters, the Geological Landscape, Landscape Habitats, Visual & Sensory, Historic Landscape and Cultural Landscape. These chapters should be taken as the key landscape guidance for Wales.

It is the use of all five layers of information that promotes sustainable landscape decision-making as what may be less important to in one particular layer may be of high importance in another. Giving all five layers equal consideration ensures no aspect of the landscape is overlooked.

One of the key defining features in LANDMAPs recent success as the key landscape resource in Wales is the improved accessibility to the information. All quality assured LANDMAP Information is now available from the LANDMAP website, either by viewing the information in the online GIS or by downloading the information onto your computer. The online GIS option has enabled practitioners in landscape work to access the information without having to have a GIS licence, a considerable benefit both within local authority departments and private consultancies.