14th February 2009, 09:26 AM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by Richard
Dear all,
Can I ask your advice; for a DBA should you consult every single map of your study area or just key maps (e.g. OS, estate maps)?
Thanks.
There is no hard and fast rule as to what maps should be consulted for (and/or included in) a DBA.
The specification/brief/project design for the project may give an indication on the range of cartographic source material that should be included.
The aims and objectives of the DBA should also guide what source material you consult - information should be included where it adds something to the study, not simply to pad the report out.
The type of site you are dealing with also has a bearing - if you are looking at the parkland gardens of a country house/mansion house then a map regression exercise may need to be more detailed than if you're just looking at a site in open fields.
I'm not sure within the confines of a DBA you'll ever be sure that you've consulted 'every single map', but you should certainly consult all readily available source material. Any map which is housed in the local records office you should certainly be consulted - whether you include it depends on whether it adds anything to the study. You should always list all the material/sources you've consulted even if no useful information was gained - whether you include a copy of the actual map depends on what useful information it adds.
If the DBA is being conducted in relation to a development/development proposal then talk to the local curator - they will have to use the DBA to make decisions so it needs to include the information they need - not what you think they need. Also they may know of significant/important cartographic sources which are local to that area.
If your doing a desk-based assessment you need to know you have sufficient skills/experience to do one. It certainly isn't something you should take on if your not sure how to do one - or worse have dumped on you because your employer doesn't have any other work. There are (were) some useful training courses/seminar sessions on DBAs and it might be helpful to seek one of these out