Landscape planning and spatial planning are integral to district plan changes, structure plans, and the strategic management of parks, reserves and other public land. Mansergh Graham helps councils, statutory management authorities and government departments to identify, evaluate and manage landscape values at local, district, regional and national scales. This work often results in clear, practical guidance that shows how landscape management strategies can be implemented on the ground, and what they mean for associated objectives, policies and rules.
Our spatial planning approach brings together information on topography, land use, zoning and overlays, visibility, infrastructure and ecological values to build a coherent picture of how different land uses and development patterns interact across a site or wider area. This enables evidence-based decisions about where and how development should occur, how sensitive landscapes and viewshafts can be protected, and how future growth can be integrated with existing character. Digital mapping and analysis support this work, but the emphasis remains on planning frameworks and landscape outcomes that are robust, transparent and easy to understand.
Our spatial planning services include:
- Topographic, feature and land use mapping – producing clear base plans, constraints plans and thematic maps for reporting, spatial planning and design.
- Slope, aspect, shading and solar gain analysis – identifying suitable development areas, planting zones and potential constraints.
- Viewshed and visibility analysis – modelling what is seen from key viewpoints to understand and illustrate potential visual effects.
- Sieve mapping and weighted site selection – overlaying multiple constraints and opportunities and using multi-criteria analysis to identify preferred sites, alignments and options.
- Route and corridor analysis – identifying optimal locations for roads and infrastructure.
- Landscape assessment – identifying and mapping landscapes and landscape values for district and regional planning purposes.
- Policy development – developing and reviewing objectives, policies and rules for district and regional planning.
- Landscape management plans – setting strategies, priorities and actions for the protection, enhancement and managed change of sensitive or high-value areas.
- Parks and reserves management plans – integrating recreation, ecology, access, heritage and landscape values into coherent management frameworks.
- Structure planning – preparing structure plans for greenfield and brownfield areas, including landscape frameworks, open space networks and integration of development with natural features.