This thesis is concerned with the social dimensions of river restoration. The research reported here seeks to better understand the relationships between members of the public and their local riverine environments, and how these relationships are affected by the landscape changes accompanying the restoration of rivers. An interrelating, mixed method approach that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative elements is developed and applied. The quantitative methods employ statistical assessments of the association between river restoration and multiple indicators of the socio-economic characteristics of a local resident population, and assessments of the aesthetic quality of riverine environments. The qualitative approach adopts an interpretive analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with local residents, producing rich insights into the context-dependent relationships between members of the public, rivers and the restoration of rivers. Four key messages emerge from this research. First, human-environment relationships are defined by a context-dependent web of direct and indirect influences. In the context of rivers, these influences span tangible forms, such as riparian vegetation and channel morphology, alongside less tangible relationships and practices through which members of the public also make sense of rivers. Second, perception regarding the restoration of rivers is contingent on the ways in which members of the public interpret landscape change within riverine environments through interconnected perceptual frameworks. These interpretations can lead to both synergistic and conflicting relationships between ecologically-driven restoration and public perception. Third, combining research underpinned by different knowledge paradigms within one framework is problematic. Instead, they should be used to address different context- and scale-dependent questions. Fourth, policy and practice related to river restoration should recognise the validity and utility of a broad range of knowledges, expectations and desires, if multifunctional riverine environments are to be realised. A vision for change in future river restoration research and practice is presented, underpinned by an interpretive agenda.

The primary aim of this thesis is to detail and evaluate the appraisal frameworks and techniques employed on river restoration projects in the UK. This research evaluates the extent to which restoration projects have implemented the appraisal frameworks and techniques proposed in the practical restoration literature, and examines barriers to the incorporation of appraisal into river restoration projects. An ideal type appraisal framework is developed in this thesis and is used as a tool against which to evaluate the nature and extent of UK river restoration project appraisal. This research was undertaken through a national and a regional investigation of appraisal procedures. The national investigation is designed to be extensive and aims to draw out the basic dimensions of river restoration projects and appraisal. The regional investigation, in contrast, intensive adopting a case study approach which examines in detail how appraisal has and has not been implemented. The national investigation involved a questionnaire survey, sent to 161 people involved in 440 river restoration projects (80% response rate achieved). The regional investigation of the Thames region of the Environment Agency (EA) focused in detail on three case study sites (River Ravensbourne, River Cole and Upper River Kennet) undertaking twenty-five in-depth interviews with restoration practitioners. This enabled the appraisal and decision-making structures of these three projects to be evaluated. This thesis argues that it is not only the structure of a project's appraisal which influences a project's trajectory but also the nature and composition of the decision-making structure. The influence of scientific and lay knowledge in decision making is also explored. This thesis concludes by drawing together key empirical, theoretical and practical findings from these investigations. The results of this research are discussed and evaluated against how effectively UK river restoration projects incorporate the ideal type appraisal framework proposed in Chapter 2. The results of this research are further evaluated in the light of a workshop on river restoration appraisal (undertaken in November 2002) where appraisal frameworks are discussed and ways of including appraisals in river restoration projects are put forward.