Proposing a cultural landscape paradigm: a case study: Prospect reservoir at Western Sydney

The study sets out to investigate and question the Burra Charter, its Interpretations and approaches for protection of cultural landscape in Australia. While achieving the preservation of state and national icons, the Charter has overlooked the meanings and values of heritage landscape. Drawing on the field of landscape theory, my research seeks to extend the theoretical approach to study of the cultural landscape. Thus, this thesis proposes the cultural landscape paradigm (CLP) which provides a framework to interpret the inherent values of cultural landscape based on ecological, experiential and narrative approaches.Towards this goal, the research attempts to demonstrate and apply the CLP by conducting a case study of the culturally significant landscape of Prospect Reservoir in western Sydney. The study is undertaken with the help of a detailed analysis of landscape elements, historic documents, narrative references, personal observations and photographs. I found that although the site has been conserved on the principles of the Burra Charter, the regional identity and sense of place has not been taken into account. Over time, degradation of the ecosystem has changed the ecological, narrative and experiential quality of the place. Thus the landscape reflects the Burra Charter's values of national, state significance, and dominance in portraying a story of European past, with limited concern for aboriginal cultural landscape.A current issue at the site is the increasing urban pressure of western Sydney. How can we interpret, protect the regional identity and cope with the ecological changes so as to maintain the continuity with the past landscape? Similarly to what extent does the Burra Charter address these issues? I respond to these questions by developing and applying the CLP. This results in expanding the values and meaning of the cultural landscape of Prospect Reservoir, and provides guidance for cultural landscape planning in general. Hence, the thesis also demonstrates the need for the Burra Charter practitioners to rethink their actions for the future of cultural landscapes, where the landscape is a continuously changing, naturally and socially driven phenomenon