The Use of Aerial Photography for Spoiled and Derelict Land Studies:With Special Reference to Glamorgan

Abstract

An examination of the definitions of derelict land has shown that confusion exists between the economic and aesthetic concepts of the term. In order to resolve this, it is proposed that the term "spoiled landscape" be used to describe the total landscape despoiled by man's activities and that "derelict landscape" and “actively disfigured landscape" be used to distinguish those landscapes which are unutilized from those that are visually despoiled. Having defined the major subject of study, national surveys, and the reclamation of derelict land are assessed. Recent changes in surveying requirements and the need for rational reclamation programmes based on accurate data indicate that new approaches to the survey method are required, Reference to recent studies suggests that this requirement may be satisfied by utilizing aerial photography. In this context, a survey of the spoiled landscape in the old County of Glamorgan has been conducted by using 1:5000 scale aerial photographs. The data have been recorded on Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 scale maps and also plotted on survey transparencies for use by the Welsh Office. Since the research has been concerned with the methodological problems of conducting large scale surveys, emphasis is given to discussing the processes and difficulties of air-photo interpretation and of using the Welsh Office Transparencies. Nevertheless, a general analysis of the collected data has been undertaken, indicating that 3.4% of the County was spoiled in 1971. Of this almost two-thirds consists of derelict landscapes while the remainder is associated with active land uses. The uses of spoiled landscape are considered and, as an example, comparison is made between the spoiled landscape and landscape quality of parts of Glamorgan. It is suggested that the two variables are inversely related. The concluding discussion suggests improvements in the collection of spoiled landscape data and indicates several fields for future research.