I'm slowly getting to grips with the term "Landscape"...
Most lay people I bump into think landscape is gardening. Or they think of a snapshot view or painting of the countryside. Even some prominent people in the LA industry distance themselves from the dreaded "landscape" word when describing what they do, because it is too ambigious or has too much associated baggage.
Relph (1973) said landscape comprises three elements: a) tangible bio-physical features, either natural or man-made; b) the activities of man and; c) the meanings imposed by humans.
Maggie Roe (Benson and Roe 2007), defined it as "a tract of land shaped over time by geological and biological processes and by human occupation and agency and by human imagination".
I think both these definitions cover the bases. Therefore, Landscape Arcitects must study and shape both "natural" (i.e. geological, hydrological and biological) and cultural processes to achieve ends. Landscape Arcitects are both natural and social scientists and natural and social engineers.
We can control the form of the space and influence function of the space. But the major challenge in creating places is how humans understand, appreciate and ultimately own the place.
But if we can't even influence human perception of what one word - landscape, then what hope have we of got for our bigger challenges?
Most lay people I bump into think landscape is gardening. Or they think of a snapshot view or painting of the countryside. Even some prominent people in the LA industry distance themselves from the dreaded "landscape" word when describing what they do, because it is too ambigious or has too much associated baggage.
Relph (1973) said landscape comprises three elements: a) tangible bio-physical features, either natural or man-made; b) the activities of man and; c) the meanings imposed by humans.
Maggie Roe (Benson and Roe 2007), defined it as "a tract of land shaped over time by geological and biological processes and by human occupation and agency and by human imagination".
I think both these definitions cover the bases. Therefore, Landscape Arcitects must study and shape both "natural" (i.e. geological, hydrological and biological) and cultural processes to achieve ends. Landscape Arcitects are both natural and social scientists and natural and social engineers.
We can control the form of the space and influence function of the space. But the major challenge in creating places is how humans understand, appreciate and ultimately own the place.
But if we can't even influence human perception of what one word - landscape, then what hope have we of got for our bigger challenges?
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