Abstract The period 1965–2000 saw the concept of applying geomorphology to a range of environmental and engineering problems become a more mainstream activity. The refinement and development of new techniques in mapping, remote sensing, and hazard and risk assessment allied to the increased use of quantitative methods of measurement and analysis enabled geomorphologists to provide data that were directly relevant to all aspects of infrastructure and general land-use planning, as well as many facets of the construction industry. One application that emerged was the need to compile geomorphological data as part of a process of collecting all Earth science information to underpin national, regional and local land-use planning. Understanding fluvial and coastal processes and landforms was important for river and shoreline management, where to this day there remain many conflicting land-use requirements and ongoing discussions over the nature, extent and suitability of any proposed mitigation measures. The other main application was in civil engineering, where geomorphologists worked alongside engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers in the collection and interpretation of ground information data to assist in natural hazard identification and quantifying the risks associated with them, as well as supporting safe and economic design of civil engineering structures.

Abstract Ground models should be a fundamental outcome from all site investigations for civil engineering development and planning projects. Without them, it is not possible to: define the ground conditions; identify any geohazards or other engineering constraints; identify potential resources; provide a basis for construction tendering; establish risk registers; determine reference conditions; design the works; or evaluate the environmental consequences of projects. A methodology for ground model development has yet to be fully established, but understanding geomorphological processes and landforms is central to the creation of effective models. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a methodology that ensures geomorphology is fully integrated into the already well-defined approaches for investigating and interpreting the geological and geotechnical conditions. This happens most effectively where geomorphology is seen as part of engineering geology and is fully integrated in the site investigation process. This is not a universal situation however, as a great deal of geomorphological research is undertaken as part of physical geography and is not widely accessed during standard desk studies. Engineering geologists need to access this high-quality research and bring it into ground models that are presently biased towards geology and geotechnics. When this is achieved, engineering geological ground models will become genuinely fit for purpose.