Assessing public perception of landscape: Past, present and future perspectives

Academics and policy-makers seeking to assess public perception and preferences of landscape face major challenges conceptually, methodologically and institutionally. The terms 'landscape', 'public' and 'perception' are contested and generate their own discourses and extensive literature. However, set within multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary blends of natural and social scientific research, considerable progress has been made on all fronts. This paper seeks to untangle the complex array of conceptual and methodological frameworks that have evolved in landscape perception. In such respects, special attention has been placed on the cultural, humanistic and visual approaches set within an emerging landscape science. The paper also assesses the extent to which developments in research have been translated into policy. The paper concludes that although progress has been made there are still significant institutional barriers and inertia preventing a change of landscape culture that is now required.