We are happy that our Protected Landscapes StoryMap for CPRE is shortlisted for an Esri Customer Success Award.

LUC was commissioned by CPRE to create innovative maps to show how vital protected landscapes are. The maps informed CPRE’s submission into the ‘Landscapes Review: Call for evidence’. Our work presents the significance of England’s protected landscapes, and identifies important issues around the accessibility of these special areas, in a digestible way.

Using accessible datasets, we explored a number of themes to underline the importance of National Parks and AONBs and to show how vital these protected landscapes are. We used Network Analyst to determine all areas that are within 15 miles (using the existing road network) of protected landscapes, and conversely, those areas that are outside of this zone. The analysis highlighted that 36% of England’s population live too far from the current network of 10 National Parks and 34 AONBs for these areas to be classified as easily accessible. The analysis also looked at options for accessing protected landscapes including by car, public transport and active travel routes.

The research found that many people in major towns and cities, including Liverpool, Leicester, Cambridge, Northampton and Peterborough are likely to miss out on benefits that easy and regular access to these landscapes can bring.

The StoryMap has been viewed over 2,000 times since its publication in December 2018.

The winners will be announced at the Esri UK Annual Conference on Tuesday 19 May 2020.

Explore the shortlisted Landscapes Review of National Parks and AONBs StoryMap.