Characterising Neighbourhoods ― Exploring Local Assets of Community Significance

It is increasingly important to define what constitutes the unique character of our neighbourhoods, in order to identify what we value and should protect, to pinpoint areas for improvement and places which could be enhanced through sensitive change. But how do we define ‘character’ or a ‘sense of place’? How do we appraise the setting and site of a development area, in order that the essential character is retained and reflected in the design of new development? How can these qualities be communicated to decision makers and involve communities?

Characterising Neighbourhoods provides an accessible and richly illustrated guide to the practical methods of appraising neighbourhoods which are precise, well informed and engaging. It demonstrates how characterisation is used as an evidence base for the planning and management of neighbourhoods and urban areas.

The core focus is on a proven characterisation method developed and used by the authors and used by community groups, schools, planning and urban design students and professionals. It creates a common language used by these groups in evaluating places.

This guide provides a wealth of supporting information, including; briefing on the recognition of local architectural styles, periods and materials, detecting the influence of historic street layouts and property boundaries, townscape concepts such as scale and enclosure, and topographical characteristics.

Characterising Neighbourhoods is a valuable resource for practicing planners, urban designers and environmental professionals as well as students in these subjects.

Richard Guise is an architect and town planner and principal of his urban design consultancy, Context4D, based in Bristol. He was formerly course leader of the MA Urban Design programme at the University of the West of England. Richard works with communities and schools on characterisation and for public and private sector clients producing design guides, urban design studies and conservation area character appraisals and delivering in-house training. He was co-author of ‘Sustainable Settlements’, ‘Shaping Neighbourhoods’ and ‘Streets for All’ (SE & SW England volumes), for English Heritage. He is an Academician of the Academy of Urbanism, member of the Bristol Urban Design Forum and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

James Webb is a planning consultant and one of two Directors of Forum Heritage Services, a consultancy specialising in the historic environment. He has formerly worked as a Principal Conservation Officer for a number of local authorities in the UK. James has delivered a considerable number of characterisation - based projects to local authority clients, mostly in the form of conservation area appraisals, including that for the City of Salisbury. James sat on the South-East Regional Design Panel and is currently a member of the Cornwall Design Review Panel and is a Trustee of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation representing the South-West region of the UK.