In a field that seems divided between aesthetes and the activists, landscape architects may be closest to reconciling the two trends.
In an op-ed, Matt Shaw praises landscape architecture for successfully delivering on social impact as well as design innovation. The rest of the field, Shaw writes, appears split into two camps. "In one camp is a group of architects who work to build new forms, many of whom are divorced from a particular social or political agenda. [...] In the other camp, a group is far less concerned with form-making, and more with attempting to make the world better through design and architecture-related thinking and practice."
Recent landscape projects have included specific environmental and social objectives. From the article: "Landscapes are no longer simply beautiful complements to buildings or vague public social spaces. Designers and clients are activating landscape design to operate environmentally as flood barriers and water remediation zones, among other goals."
Shaw also praises landscape designers for incorporating the latest digital tools into their process. "While landscapes are growing in size and scale, technology is being implemented successfully to plan and execute bold new landscape forms, such as the green swoops and concrete curves of Brooklyn Bridge Park and the High Line."
FULL STORY: Editorial: Landscape Operations
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Gainesville Turns Abandoned Industrial Hub Into Innovative Park
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Does the High Line Signify a New Era of Urban Design?
Sue Illman thinks so. And in this editorial for The Guardian, she argues that the success of the High Line signifies a new era in which the quality of our parks and public spaces, rather than our skylines, makes our towns and cities stand out.
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
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Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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