It is a sad fact that most urban societies do not record or protect their smellscapes.

Either relegated to distant memory or stories, or relegated below the more powerful mass made aromas. However countries like Japan and France are starting to protect their smells associated with heritage, which could be everything from the aromas of natural spaces, man-made structures or objects of national pride.

Indeed we are now seeing artistic and theatrical endeavours attempting to record or recapture the spirit of the smellscape across different times and places.