I like how she started the blog with a clear understanding of what landscape architecture is and, how we can approach the site in terms of landscaping. After reading the blog I can conclude that she has three main points to talk about. Firstly, the strategies of using landscaping, not just as an aesthetic element but as a structural element. In recent decades it is shown that landscaping has tended to new ideas which focus on the notion of sustainability and structure, rather than an attraction [1].
The second point talks about the significance of two main factors, which are scale and sustainability. The presence of green space can eventually promote sustainability. It attracts the individual to calm their mind from a chaotic to a calm mindset. This tactic should derive from a small scale to a large scale. On a larger scale I mean, designing a neighborhood with ample amount of space for green infrastructure to a region or city design with the same features. It will allow the region to develop more sustainably lean. Thirdly, she mentions the characteristic of landscaping as a whole which is more operational and performative rather than static, which at some point I agree with. Nowadays, landscape architects are focusing more on the active participation of green infrastructure not just for outdoor aesthetics but also as an indoor element of any structure.
If we compare today’s landscape architecture scenario with ancient times, we can easily conclude that in the past the planner only considers green space, outdoors. A prominent example of this is the taj mahal. The landscape of the taj mahal is termed Charbagh. As its name suggests it has a huge garden that is divided into four consecutive parts [2]. The next example I would like to write about is Singapore’s new garden airport. This is a huge six-acre indoor jungle, with some elements like an artificial waterfall and walking trails. From the article by Jared green, it has one lakh shrubs and more than 2500 trees. Being there for just 15 minutes can reduce stress and anxiety levels [3]. From both the above-mentioned example we can easily figure out the major difference between ancient and contemporary architecture.
Lastly, she mentioned one example of a fresh skill park in New York City, which is a landfill and unable to redesign due to some barrier. I would appreciate it if she talks more about the possible solution and positive outcomes of the same.
References:
[1]. An article on aesthetic creation theory and landscape architecture by Rudi van Etteger
[2]. An article on “The Taj” Garden, An Empress’s paradise.
[3]. An article on Singapore’s new garden airport by Jared green.
Landscape Urbanism
We all find Ali Madaniopour’s seminars very interesting and engaging, as we are always asked to read the papers by various authors which ae related to Urban Design and think about it critically. There were quite a few which were really insightful, but the most interesting paper according to me was “Landscape as Urbanism, by Charles Waldheim”.
According to Charles Waldheim, Landscape Urbanism is a theory which argues that the best way to organize cities is through the design of the city’s landscape, rather than the design of the buildings. Landscape urbanism has been the subject of discussion among practitioners and theorists involved in creating the modern city over the past ten years. The proponents of landscape urbanism contend that conventional dichotomies like city and country are insufficient to depict the modern metropolitan environment. Instead, a new urban morphology has emerged, demanding the use of fresh approaches and conceptual frameworks. To build these strategies, landscape urbanism proposes reconsidering the landscape. Despite of this, as an Urban Designer the framework has an appeal to me. Basically, it holds three different aspects according to me.
Firstly, it suggests that the landscape environment should be transformed into a structural component rather than just a beautiful backdrop for buildings while designing the city. Instead of just putting the green spaces in little pockets in the leftover spaces after the buildings have been designed.
Secondly, landscape urbanism offers a model for sustainability, by taking a comprehensive approach to the urban environment. This ambition is explained by Corner as follows: landscape urbanism suggests a broad cross- disciplinarity not simply across the boundaries of architecture, planning and engineering, but also across ecology, geography, anthropology, cartography, aesthetics and philosophy. It also suggests multi-scalar modes of practice, where very large scale urban and environmental issues may be organized and influenced while at the same time focusing upon much smaller, tactile scales of engagement (Corner, 2010 p.26). Weller (2007). According to promoters of landscape urbanism, the broad interdisciplinary approach will aid in the development of sustainable cities since it is unified by the notion of the landscape as a model for urbanism.
Thirdly, Landscape Urbanism supports a perspective that considers the landscape as performative and operational rather than a static image. One of the examples of Landscape Urbanism I studied is the Fresh Kills Park in New York City. It was the largest landfill operated from 1948 to 2001. It was actually supposed to be a temporary solution for waste management after the World War II, but the use of this huge space continued to be the same for the next 50 years. Now the department of city planning has taken the initiative to change this and has developed a phase wise 30-year-old master plan to regenerate the landfill. This will have 5 main areas throughout the 2200-acre expanse. It will host cultural and recreational activities and will be open for everybody. This is one of the most successful large-scale project, which proves to be a great example for Landscape Urbanism and the Public Realm altogether.
The main concerns which Landscape Urbanism should address are Infrastructure, water management, biodiversity, and human activity which also questions and considers the implications of the city in relation to the landscape as well as the landscape in relation to the city. Because the main goal of every city should be the human comfort, designing according to the needs of the people of that city and also considering their well-being and a better way of living. It should always encourage sustainability and promote to build the neighborhoods that are healthier, more attractive, social and easy to live in. It is accessible to everyone, reduces pollution and encourages city inhabitants to go outside, both of which are healthy for the individual and the neighborhood.
References: The Urban Design Reader -Landscape as Urbanism by Charles Waldheim
I like how she started the blog with a clear understanding of what landscape architecture is and, how we can approach the site in terms of landscaping. After reading the blog I can conclude that she has three main points to talk about. Firstly, the strategies of using landscaping, not just as an aesthetic element but as a structural element. In recent decades it is shown that landscaping has tended to new ideas which focus on the notion of sustainability and structure, rather than an attraction [1].
The second point talks about the significance of two main factors, which are scale and sustainability. The presence of green space can eventually promote sustainability. It attracts the individual to calm their mind from a chaotic to a calm mindset. This tactic should derive from a small scale to a large scale. On a larger scale I mean, designing a neighborhood with ample amount of space for green infrastructure to a region or city design with the same features. It will allow the region to develop more sustainably lean. Thirdly, she mentions the characteristic of landscaping as a whole which is more operational and performative rather than static, which at some point I agree with. Nowadays, landscape architects are focusing more on the active participation of green infrastructure not just for outdoor aesthetics but also as an indoor element of any structure.
If we compare today’s landscape architecture scenario with ancient times, we can easily conclude that in the past the planner only considers green space, outdoors. A prominent example of this is the taj mahal. The landscape of the taj mahal is termed Charbagh. As its name suggests it has a huge garden that is divided into four consecutive parts [2]. The next example I would like to write about is Singapore’s new garden airport. This is a huge six-acre indoor jungle, with some elements like an artificial waterfall and walking trails. From the article by Jared green, it has one lakh shrubs and more than 2500 trees. Being there for just 15 minutes can reduce stress and anxiety levels [3]. From both the above-mentioned example we can easily figure out the major difference between ancient and contemporary architecture.
Lastly, she mentioned one example of a fresh skill park in New York City, which is a landfill and unable to redesign due to some barrier. I would appreciate it if she talks more about the possible solution and positive outcomes of the same.
References:
[1]. An article on aesthetic creation theory and landscape architecture by Rudi van Etteger
[2]. An article on “The Taj” Garden, An Empress’s paradise.
[3]. An article on Singapore’s new garden airport by Jared green.