Research On Landscape Character Assessment Of Jishou City Based On The British Landscape Character Assessment System

Landscape character is the embodiment of interaction between natural features and historic and cultural backgrounds, which endows it with double qualities of both nature and culture. The inheritance of natural resources and historic context desiderates to keep up with urban regeneration process, but the current situation of "every city alike" in development planning pattern make Landscape Character a by-product of globalization and modernization. Under the impetus of 《European Landscape Convention》, Landscape Character Assessment firstly set out to develop in European countries and was gradually acknowledged as a fundamental method and basis of judging the Landscape Character of a specific area. Yet the research in Landscape Character theory is relatively deficient in China, which results in ambiguous understanding of concept and assessment of Landscape Character. Therefore, research in Landscape Character Assessment both theoretically and practically is of considerate significance to Chinese urban construction and development.Firstly, by narrating the loss of Chinese Landscape Character, and the evolving process of Landscape Character Assessment System in foreign countries, the article reveals the urgency and importance of establishing a system of Landscape Character Assessment in China. After interpreting relevant concept and its intention, and then exploring the coherence in between, thus refining the definition to the next level.Secondly, this article gets down to analyze selected examples of Landscape Character Assessment in foreign countries from a practical perspective, comparing with those in China and concluding defectiveness within. Meanwhile, the article conducts profound analysis in British and European Landscape Character Assessment at different scale level, from the aspects of developing process, the assessment targets and principles, the content and process, to sort out the procedures of Landscape Character Assessment. Assessment method varies according to different scales and targets.Lastly, based on the conclusion of examples and theories of Landscape Character Assessment System, this article tries to establish System of Landscape Character Assessment in China. According to division of Landscape Character Area, Landscape Character Type and Landscape Characteristic Elements, the method is to construct System of Landscape Character Assessment at three scale levels--national, regional and local. Then interpreting the selected typology and element type, thus make it a comprehensive, scientific and clear system qualitatively and quantitively. Moreover, the system can provide criteria for utilization, preservation, management and policy implementation of landscape resources. The article takes the Landscape Character Assessment of Jishou city in Xiangxi Autonomous District as example, to tentatively practice the application of Landscape Character Assessment System in China.