River landscapes: changing the concrete overcoat?

River landscapes are increasingly important components of rural and urban environments but many river locations have become degraded by 'over-engineering' and neglect. They now need careful resuscitation using the range of relevant disciplines such that their values are enhanced in a sustainable way. The 'cultural' turn taken by landscape studies in the past decade or so will help, by adding interpretive skills and a deeper analysis of shared values and of the differences in understandings of nature and landscape by different individuals and groups. The river landscape of the 'every-day', and its associations and characteristics, will increase in importance as the emphasis in river and catchment management moves away from reliance on a land use planning or an engineering approach and towards enhancing what the common person finds important and valuable in their local river scene.