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LA 322
The Future of Landscape Architecture
The history of Landscape Architecture dates back to ancient times where the field
already existed but was not prominent enough to become a subject matter. However, the
landscape designs and how land was maneuvered since the Egyptian era, has created a
momentous effect on the history of landscape architecture which consequently brings us to the
idea of the natural and unnatural. As the realm of natural and unnatural is being defined,
details of what classifies the terms in different ages of time becomes a notable idea in
understanding Landscape Architecture. It is distinctive to note that each time period had their
way of dwelling through land and its surroundings magnificently. The Egyptian era for example,
used site as a tool for designing their surroundings. Therefore, site becomes a natural entity to
the Egyptians, but as the development took place around and on the site, the idea of natural for
this time period is faltered.
This is significant to the understanding of landscape architecture because the field
revolves around the natural and unnatural world. Therefore, having a clear comprehension on
the differences of these terms allows for a wider perspective on how landscape architecture is
viewed in different time periods such as the Egyptian, Medieval, or Roman; and also the
method of application to the current practice of the subject, where the line between what is
natural and not is indistinct. As the conception of the field increases, the detail that relates to
landscape architecture becomes clearer and distinctive. To begin with, the use of water
features was a distinguishable characteristic in the designs of landscape architecture for the
years the field has been around. The use of water in various designs became an inspirational
tool for further development of how it was being used and the purpose of use. For example,
water was initially used as an architectural entity and had more functional purposes despite its
aesthetics in the Egyptian era. However, that changed as time progressed into the Italian era
where water features were more ornate and also served a higher level of function such as
irrigation. The idea continued to develop into the medieval age from the Greek and Roman ages
as water features went from agricultural to more aesthetics.
As the development of landscape architecture progressed with details like water
features and greenery usage developed, it is crucial to note that, these details becomes a
valuable contributor to the growth of understanding landscape architecture. From
understanding the differences on how an element can be developed aesthetically and
functionally from time to time gives one the opportunity to understand the takes on function
versus form of current practices. Methods of application on certain elements changed over
time, and that helped the understanding that not every designer in landscape architecture
conforms to the notion of form being more important than function or vice versa.
As the field developed and became more prominent, it began to take a different level of
discovery and comprehension. Landscape architecture developed into a phase where education
became a significant tool to have command on the field. Education in landscape architecture
became the apparatus to the development of organizations, schools, government divisions and
also policies that revolved around the field. One of the major importances of the subject that is
inspiring is the development of organizations that till today continue to fight for the rights of
the environment, and all those that inhabit the space. For instance, the ‘Safe the San Francisco
Bay Association’ that was founded in 1931, have been raising awareness of the adverse impact
of the bay on ecology. This is a momentous influence that is arousing because it reminds
habitants on the importance of conserving the bay in order to maintain a balanced and stable
ecological life.
Landscape architecture learning continues to create excitement in many ways; however,
one noteworthy detail within the development of landscape education which has a distinct
influence on the understanding of the field is the growth of learning landscape architecture
from the early teachings to the predicted future. For instance, earlier topics of landscape
architecture education were related to garden and park designs. This then developed into
community designs, highways, and planning. As the teachings moved into the present, topics
widened to categories such as remediation and sustainable practices. And, as the field
continues to progress with time, areas of teaching are predicted to involve rooftop designs and
also outer space designs. One other similar progress in the development of landscape
education is the use of technology as an approach to a better standard of designing and
problem solving. The early teachings did not involve any form of computing gadget to produce
designs as everything was based on manual production such as hand rendering and drawings.
And as technology became a significant tool in various professions such as architecture and
engineering, landscape architecture began using computer aided tools to produce final designs
and eventually the entire design process.
It is vital to note that these developments in landscape education such as topics of
teachings and technology usage contribute to a big part of the advancement of understanding
landscape architecture. An understanding on the wide range of topics gives an idea of how
landscape architecture has branched out to different divisions such as planning, park designing,
and land management and so on. As far as technology is concern, it has always revolved around
many new discoveries of designs and this eventually contributed to the recognition of
contemporary park designs that are found to be sophisticated. A distinct example of a
computer aided design would be to observe the landscape design of ‘The Lagoon’s in Dubai.
Much of the design is a byproduct of computers, even though manual designing is involved at a
minimal scale.
“A computer rendered image of The Lagoon, Dubai “
Education in Landscape Architecture did not only become a driving tool for the
development of the field, but it also became an important source for application. As new
urbanism took place in the 20th century, campuses and urban development became an essential
aspect of landscape architecture. Designers began emphasizing the importance of greenery in
campuses and also urban areas. A particular importance in this stage of landscape history that
is stimulating in comprehending landscape architecture would be how greenery have been used
to stimulate positive sociological environments. As a culture, it is believed that the more
greenery in a certain place, the higher the sociological standards of the society is. Similarly,
campuses with older trees tend to have a higher recognition amongst society.
The positive sociological environment in a society in due course became an important
tool for the development of landscape designs of campuses and parks. For instance, Cornell
University which is known as one of the older schools around, having more greenery and
specifically older trees and plant materials, indicates that the school is older and also puts them
at a higher standard in the eyes of the society, thus also initiating a positive sociological and
psychological environment. Looking at a broader perspective of new urbanism, apart from
campuses, urban places would also be a distinct element in landscape architecture that strongly
suggests the importance of greenery in landscape architecture. New urbanism focuses on
keeping things at a pedestrian scale; therefore, notable amount of greenery is often placed
along skyscrapers to reduce the scale of the environment. This creates a comfortable
atmosphere for people, and concurrently creating a positive sociological milieu.
The implementation of greenery in various campus designs and new urbanism
landscape becomes a significant tool in the bag in effort to raise the understanding of
landscape architecture. Since greenery suggests a positive moral development, it then becomes
a legitimate explanation to the questions about the extent of planting in obscure places. In the
effort of encouraging and creating a positive society, greenery has made its way to places that
now questions the necessity of greenery. A relevant example would be restaurants, rooftops,
and also parking lots. This becomes a positive encouragement to understanding the further
needs and developments of landscape architecture designs as it arouses inquisitiveness to what
the needs of greenery in the near future would be.
”An image showing greenery in along an elevator”
The world of landscape architecture developed from the early ages into the present and
challenged many design possibilities. However, as a professional practice, one of the major
challenges within the profession was to address the involvement of women in the history of
landscape architecture. In this section of landscape history, a remarkable event that is essential
to the understanding of landscape architecture is the countless effort of women involvement
within the field. A few notable individuals such as Cheryl Barton, Martha Schwartz and also
Beatrix Farrand Jones have played a significant role in the development of architecture.
Their various influences on the field such as playground designs, plant materials and
color usage are significant in the development of present landscape architecture practices.
Women did not only play a vital part in the designing efforts but also politically. They were
writing articles in journals about landscape architecture. This became an influential method of
spreading knowledge and ideas on planting methods and maintenance. It also influenced
researches on designating what should be planted in front of campuses and front yards.
Alongside this, women’s writings went on to encourage political movements within the field.
For instance, the involvement of women in creating policies and acts on sustainability in the
1970’s is today the most spoken about policy in various profession including engineering and
architecture. As women continue to provoke changes in the history of landscape architecture, it
is crucial to note that many of these efforts such as the journals, the plant manuals, or even
playground designs contributes to the further development of landscape understanding. Such
changes increase the conception on how some of these elements have developed over the
years. One notable example would be the idea of using plant materials not only for color
purposes but also to create a certain form. Today, these elements are widely used in
contemporary landscape architecture as a method of discovering new designs.
Landscape architecture continues to grow till today with women involvement and also
education alongside other elements such as urban planning, and development. As the field was
developing in this past years, the industrial revolution in the United States after 1940’s played a
major role in not only education and the involvement of women, but also technology. The
advancement of technology at this time is truly inspiring in understanding landscape
architecture as it created many possibilities for design development such as highway designs
and also suburbia planning. And it is essential to note that with the help of technology, it not
only enhanced the education of landscape architecture as mentioned before, but it contributed
in farther innovations of landscape designs through an advanced educational system. Such an
instance can be witnessed with the growth of transportation after 1940’s that resulted in the
invention of the suburbia.
The advancement of technology contributed to the development of suburbia. Suburbia
concurrently resulted in the creation of road systems. The development of suburbia was
defined by the transportation of cars, and that caused the invention of different road systems.
This eventually became a resultant in landscape alteration and designs. One of the design
elements that evolved with suburbia was cul‐de‐sac which helped ease and control vehicle
traffic. As within a suburbia community itself, the repetitive look‐a‐like houses created a
consistent design to the landscape. With technology playing a dynamic role in landscape
architecture, it becomes a contributor to the understanding of landscape architecture, not
necessarily in a positive manner, but also negative. As a result of technology that contributed to
the sprawling of suburbia, massive land usage issues have developed. Extensive land use for
structural purposes rather than greenery has become a concern. Furthermore, the pollution
from vehicles utilizing the various road systems has raised awareness in effort to protect the
environment. As this fold up, it is distinct to note that technology as much as a contributor to
the field also created issues that are challenging. However, the use and development of
technology in this section is what that will increase the understanding of the development of
landscape architecture, especially in current practices.
Finally, as all the influences on landscape architecture become distinct, it is noteworthy
to realize and appreciate that landscape architecture is also closely followed by other divisions
that are related to this field. Ecological activist and environmental artist are the other two
profession that share distinct elements of practices within the field. The fact that the three
different practices are able to connect to each other and create better designs is the key to the
influence it places on the understanding of the field. For instance, all three divisions share a
commonality of using the environment as a source of inspiration to design or protect. They also
work on common issues such as research, environmental issues and the public. From these
influential criteria within the field, it is effortless to point to the various approaches taken by
the different branches towards landscape architecture. An ecological activist’s approach of
creating awareness and protecting the environment is crucial to the development of landscape
designs in current practices and the future. However, with this, an environmental artist is able
to help convey the message through aesthetics. And the landscape architect would be
responsible for developing this message to another level that would be applied in their designs
with regards to environmental awareness, aesthetics and function.
Landscape architecture is said to be at its best when it fulfills both form and function.
Therefore, the influence of ecological awareness, environmental art and functional landscape
becomes a greater contributor to comprehending landscape architecture as it is necessary to
pay attention to what one does as a landscape architect that would be essential to protecting
the environment, beautifying a site and being functionally appropriate all at once. However,
since such a notion is difficult to achieve, it is then important that each creation from protecting
and designing would at least compensate each other’s flaw in some way.
As this discussion winds up, it is essential to know that unlike a usual history curriculum,
the history of landscape architecture drives thoughts into various divisions within the field that
are environmentally, socially, and also politically related. It is momentous to realize that
understanding the history of this field will contribute a greater part in the practice of this
profession or its related field such as environmental art or protection. The concepts about
material usage in the past and the present, and how it is going to be used in the future is one
example of how history will continue to enhance the development of the field. Besides that,
landscape architecture history is also crucial for the growth of the political aspect within the
field. The involvement of women that initiated certain policy writings and also negative impacts
from industrialization that has brought along the form of organizations to fight for the rights of
the environment are distinct paradigms that help draw the importance of politics in sustaining
the field in a certain direction.
From defining what is natural and not, to comprehending the differences between an
environmental activist, artist or designer will continue to contribute and enhance the practice
of architecture. As an individual, using these fragments of landscape architecture history is
important in response to creating innovative designs that would strive for excellence in fulfilling
the needs of form and function. For instance, using the outcome of suburbia such as pollution
and sprawling as a tool to solve and design better communities that would enhance the quality
of life whilst fulfilling the purpose and also aesthetics expectations.
As the field strives for possible design solutions into the future, it could create a
stimulating situation that could possibly change the direction of landscape architecture and
how it is perceived. The future of landscape architecture may lead into different paths and
possibilities. One of the possible outcomes could be the effort to design beyond earthly living
situations. The potential of having landscape designs in outer space could be foreseen as
researches continue to develop in effort to achieving such possibility. Another path the field has
seen attempting to achieve and will continue to develop would be the practice of genetically
modifying materials. The alteration of certain planting types for better crops production could
increase as the years to come if results of current practice are found to be promising. The
prospect of landscape architecture could also continue to develop into a phase where
sociological environment would play a major role. A predictable outcome would be the
development of cross‐cultural designs. As people continue to travel around the globe, ideas are
transferred from one place to another. This would concomitantly initiate respect for how
landscape architecture is practiced in other cultures and could farther instigate hybrid designs
as a byproduct of cultural integration.
Finally, it is critical to every individual within the field to realize that the practice of
landscape architecture could potentially head in any direction. However, it is the current
culture of practice and the predictable near future that would continue to determine the path
landscape architecture would practice in, may it be further research in plant materials, better
designs that would fit the notion of form and function or the strive for protecting massive land
usage.
Bibliography
Green Elevator Shaft. Urban Greenery, Bangkok. Landscape + Urbanism. By Jason A. King. 8 May 2009
<http://landscapeandurbanism.blogspot.com/2009/02/via‐urban‐greenery.html>.
Dubai 8: Dubai Towers. 20 Oct. 2007. Iconography, Dubai. Eikongraphia. 8 May 2009
<http://www.eikongraphia.com/?p=1962>.