Science topic

Landscape Design - Science topic

Explore the latest questions and answers in Landscape Design, and find Landscape Design experts.
Questions related to Landscape Design
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
3 answers
Is the Fangta Park in Shanghai is the modernism landscape?
Relevant answer
Answer
In my opinion, it should follow the principle of low-impact development.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
for landscape design development
Relevant answer
Answer
After many years of active practice in patent application filing, prosecution and defense, I have determined that very few of the many applicants who were coming to me had invented something worth their time and effort, not to mention money, to file an application. I came to this conclusion when I worked for some time on ways to defeat patents, at the request of several clients. Large corporations hire teams to defeat patents of their competitors, and have massive funding to commit to the effort. It was then that I realized that the real time, effort and expense came into view, not during application and prosecution, but AFTER award, and in defense of one's patent rights. Of the many applications from clients that I reviewed and chose not to prosecute because they failed basic requirements of usefulness, uniqueness, and value to science, industry or the public, the few that I deemed worthwhile were inventions from individuals, and not large companies. And this is precisely where the problems begin. Individuals are not usually gifted with large, if not seemingly infinite, funding to defend their rights under the patent they may be awarded; whereas, large companies that generate more patents that I view less worthy of recognition and award are the very ones with immense funding supporting their ideas and, hence, the defense of those ideas.
The better approach to defending one's invention(s) is protecting them as trade secrets. I can address this further at anyone's request.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
10 answers
In most of the land grant universities in the United States, landscape architecture began in the Colleges of Agriculture. Landscape design and planning dates back to 19th century, when courses incorporating principles of ornamental planting and the art of laying out gardens and pleasure grounds were offered in different horticulture programs.
Nowadays the profile of the most faculties/colleges that offer landscape architecture degree is related with two fields; agriculture and architecture. In Europe there is almost equilibrium between these two fields, while in USA there is a clear supremacy of architectural schools. Does it mean that there is a trend to move from faculties/colleges of agriculture to architecture?
According to a recent definition of IFLA “Landscape Architects plan, design and manage natural, rural, and built environments, applying aesthetic and scientific principles to address the sustainability, quality and health of landscapes, collective memory, heritage and culture, and territorial justice. By leading and coordinating other disciplines, landscape architects deal with the interactions between natural and cultural ecosystems, such as adaptation and mitigation related to climate change and the stability of ecosystems, socioeconomic improvements, and community health and welfare to create places that anticipate social and economic well-being”
Does the increased interest on the sustainability, quality and health of landscapes, interactions between natural and cultural ecosystems, climate change and the stability of ecosystems make agriculture faculties/colleges a better option for landscape architecture education?
Relevant answer
Answer
Landscape architecture is a multidisciplinary discipline. Therefore there are many subjects to cover during the studies, in social sciences and humanities, in the sciences and in the arts. This has all to be studied, independent from the question whether the discipline is attached to a planning faculty, an agricultural one or a science one.
Where landscape architecture was and is positioned happened and happens by chance, depending from where the founders saw an opening or what their personal preferences were.
In the first years students should learn about all the different ways to work as a landscape architect. Be it in creating public or private green spaces or in large scale landscape planning or promoting and protecting biodiversity you need knowledge in all three areas, only with different depths.
Three years is not enough to learn all that is necessary for a successful career, therefore further education in a master study is recommended (and also often a condition to become a member of the chamber of architects in Germany). But also in every profession there is a process of lifelong learning.
Of course the discipline has developed very much during the about a hundred years of university education. The knowledge of urban ecology has advanced quite a lot, also the knowledge of the requirements of citizens.
While as in former times good landscape architects knew things by intuition (these are the parks etc. we still admire) this is not enough in our complicated societies where you have to convince and supply for many people with different requirements. It is not enough to convince only a king and his adviser.
Also we have changed the natural environment so much that we have to really know about it to make the necessary repairs.
So the more landscape architects as a discipline know the better. Of course no individual can be proficient in all the necessary subjects but they should know what is required and be able to build (and lead) a team which can deal with all the problems in a given project.
Landscape architects are not gardeners. That is a profession in its own right, with an educational process of its own.
Many professions which are nowadays study programmes at universities
started as a craft. Take medical doctors: I think nobody would want them to work at the base of knowledge they had in medieval times or even in the 19th century.
Here you can find the official definition of the worldwide union of landscape architects
At these two addresses you can find information about landscape education in Europe and advice of you want to.
.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
2 answers
There is no doubt that green building envelopes have become a significant role in urban development. Just hesitant to explore policy or potential for green building envelopes.
Relevant answer
Answer
Green roof substrates (i.e. growing medium) are the most important aspect for green roofs. Good substrate selection will ensure the longevity of green roof vegetation as well as thermal comfort of residents. The following research article provide great information on green roof substrates:
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
I am currently working on my MSc dissertation with a focus on 'Impacts of urban surfaces i.e. roof surface, pavement surface and vegetation on urban micro-climate in hot arid regions'.
Envi-met simulation software was used to predict the air temperature of the micro-climate. However, due to the software's limitations the surface air temperature of the roof can not be calculated.
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi dear Farah.
Climate Consultant software
Climatic studies include reviewing the climate file and providing diagrams and data related to temperature change, amount of radiation and sunlight, etc. , This software is a graphic-based computer application that helps architects, students, etc. to better understand the climate of their desired location and be able to analyze it. , For sustainable design and design of zero energy buildings, we need climate design, which this software leads us to this goal. , This software uses 8760 hours of annual data in EPW format recorded by meteorological stations.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
5 answers
I am wondering articles on healthy campus landscape design.
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi Xiujie Li,
Some of the Bin Jiang's papers are close to this topic.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
20 answers
I'm looking for examples of public squares/plazas with a high tree canopy coverage. Places that are classic 'plazas' in architectural meaning, function as places of large gatherings and events, but have substantial amount of trees and high degree of tree canopy coverage. Place de la Republique in Paris is one example.
I'm also interested in any research on trees on urban plazas.
Thanks!
Relevant answer
Krzysztof Herman, I think you need to look at two kinds of cities the historical cities and the new cities. What has been made in these green areas as you can see in
All these greenish areas are highly dependent on water policies, ideologies, religion, mythology, and seasonal/ spatial temperature and precipitation changes.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
3 answers
I am trying to find a topic for my PhD thesis. I've done two MSc; one in Landscape Architecture (about Ecological Landscape Design and Permaculture) and one in Forest Entomology (about Lepidoptera). Now I want to study further both of them in PhD. Can you help me find a topic that icludes both and woth studying.
Relevant answer
Answer
Elaheh Daghighi Dear professor, thank you very much for your answer. I wasn't aware of their work. I am going to read their researches and try to communicate with the professors.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
Dear Colleagues,
The fundamental goal of scholarship in the field of landscape architecture is to enhance the practice of designing, planning, conserving and managing the land. Due to the inherently multifunctional nature of landscapes, both biophysical and cultural, many scholars and practitioners have addressed the importance of multi-, trans- and interdisciplinary approaches to landscape architecture education, research and practice. Such approaches have resulted in new skills, competences, methods, and processes to be articulated, and have led to professional organisations being more involved in accrediting and regulating educational programmes, advancing continuous professional development and training and introducing ethical and moral codes for professional practice.  Despite major efforts in teaching and research activities that nurture the future of design professions, considerable challenges still confront efforts to reconcile the academic and professional facets. Demands of professional organisations in terms of landscape architectural standards, curriculum development and recognition procedures as well as the changing focus of design pedagogy faced by higher education providers are putting at risk the long-term outcomes of landscape architecture and planning and its fundamental role in promoting social and environmental justice.
This Special Issue invites papers that discuss and present perspectives from both academia and professional practice in landscape architecture which address the synergies between academic programmes and professional organisations. We aim for this Special Issue to critically look at existing system barriers and opportunities afforded by educational standards and assessment of landscape architecture programmes and to explore strategies required to promote a better collaboration between education institutions and professional bodies in terms of landscape design, planning, conservation and management.
Bruno Marques, Andreja Tutundžić, Emilia Weckman and Marina Cervera Alonso de Medina Guest Editors
Relevant answer
Answer
This special issue has been extended until the 31st of January 2021 to accommodate any disruptions due to COVID-19! Prof. Carl Steinitz is one of the featured articles of this special issue! https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/7/228
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
12 answers
Just wondering which kind of plants are most suitable for green roofs and living walls.
Relevant answer
Answer
Interesting ...!
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
13 answers
What percentage of plants are native species & what percentage are semi-mature tree?
Relevant answer
Answer
Agree with Victor ...
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
Dear experts,
I am going to work on a project related to urban green-space planning. I welcome and appreciate your suggestions and comments.
The key purpose of the project is to map and analyze the current green-spaces in the city, then to detect the areas which need optimization (patch size, connectivity, etc). In fact, the output of this project should help to prepare a master plan for future green space construction in the city.
To the best of my knowledge, I should firstly map land cover pattern in the city, then I should analyze the patch size and its connection by FRAGSTATS software. Also , Land Surface Temperature map may help to find the areas which need more greenspace construction.
However, I want to know:
1. What other software do you recommend to use?
2. What kind of innovation I can have in this project so that I could publish good paper from my results?
3. Do you have any suggestion for the methodology?
4. If you know any relevant and helpful paper, please share with me.
5. Any other comment and suggestion is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Majid
Relevant answer
Answer
You may use the jQuery library which is available under Open Source GNU General Public Licence and MIT (Licence X11).
JQuery JavaScript creates interactive maps with GIS software. Software is unlimited rights to use, copy, modify and distribute the original or modified programme.
More information:
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
6 answers
I'm an architect and urban designer and currently working in a landscape design department of a company. I would like to ask for some suggestions on books and sources in Landscape design and landscape architecture.
Relevant answer
Answer
One of the best books in my opinion is :
Isotta Cortesi, Parcs Publics, paysages 1985 -2000, Actes Sud/Motta, Mailand, Arles 2000
It contains a very good history of public parks und critical descriptions of several new parks in the time between 1985 - 2000.
Unfortunately it exists only in french and Italian.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
8 answers
Dear experts,
I am going to prepare a research proposal about planting design or about urban agriculture .
Do you have any suggestion or guidance for me?
Best regards,
Relevant answer
Answer
Also there is the book:
Frank Lohrberg, Lilli Licka, Lionella Scazzosi, Axel Timpke (eds.):
Urban Agriculture Europe.
Berlin 2016, jovis.
Prof. Dr. Frank Lohrberg is an expert in urban agriculture.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
6 answers
This question is coming from a study of the "aesthetic values" of the concept of ecosystem services in the field of landscape and ecology. Aesthetics has values, and is a positive attribute. My question is, can aesthetics of a place be felt, or to put it less sophisticated, can a person who is unable to see, say that a place is aesthetically pleasing?   
If we say visual aesthetics, it infers that there is some other kind of aesthetics, perhaps auditory or sensory aesthetics? 
I'd like to develop some kind of checklist to score a place/landscape in terms of its aesthetic values, even if there are some universal laws to design it still seems impossible to tell people how to design objectively aesthetically pleasing spaces, IF we don't start with some value judgement. 
I look forward to discussion with researchers not from this field, or artists too.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
8 answers
My recent project is focusing on visual impact assessment of new ecotourism developments. My intention is to compare the plans (including layout plans, visualizations) made before the construction of the new buildings, structures, and a realized landscape elements. This is an applied research, I'd like to use the results for the methodological development of visual impact assessment practice (as a part of environmental impact assessments).
Relevant answer
The Environmental Impact Study (EIA) in Brazil is the set of studies carried out by specialists from different areas, with detailed technical data.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
Does the designing process harm natural landscapes around wetlands and lagoons or does it preserve them?
Can a designing process which uses sustainable development and ecotourism principles protect lagoons or not?
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi
Conceptually ecotourism may be good application to protect lagoon, but problem is, are there project planners have mechanism  to achieve realistic goals or not . According to my research experience in the developing context ; most of the ongoing ecotourism projects just do something to earn money with using name of 'eco', but still they fail to achieve targets what they plan to obtain . 
I am sending some details of research work which may be useful for your work 
Scheyvens, R. (1999). Ecotourism and the empowerment of local communities. Tourism management, 20(2), 245-249.
Foucat, V. A. (2002). Community-based ecotourism management moving towards sustainability, in Ventanilla, Oaxaca, Mexico. Ocean & Coastal Management, 45(8), 511-529.
Ghosh, A. K., Pattnaik, A. K., & Ballatore, T. J. (2006). Chilika Lagoon: Restoring ecological balance and livelihoods through re‐salinization. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management, 11(4), 239-255.
Ortega-Rubio, A., Lluch-Cota, D., & Castellanos-Vera, A. (2001). Salt production at San Ignacio Lagoon: a Sustainable Development Project?. The International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 8(2), 155-165.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
12 answers
I have been doing a landscape individual design project recently. The site original is a 200 hectares salt-marsh land and there are many migratory birds living on that site. I want to develop some tourism areas on it. However, I am not too sure if this proposal can work well.
I want to ask if there are other landscape techniques to deal with the salt-marsh land?So the natural environment can be kept well as well as brings more benefits. Any relevant case studies or thesis are welcome. Thank you.
Relevant answer
Answer
Dear Yang Ying
The welfare of the migratory birds should be paramount: these birds are endangered and this year their numbers seem to be greatly reduced because of the filling of mudflats in East Asia.
It is important to ensure that any eco-recreational facilities do not allow people to bring dogs. Dogs chase the birds and cause them to take flight during their periods of rest at high tide.
With one notable exception, soil type should not be the main issue determining where constructed facilities should be sited, because engineers can build on more or less any soil, given money. The exception is if there are acid sulphate soils at the site. These naturally occurring soils are widespread in coastal wetlands along eastern Australia and they produce sulphuric acid when disturbed. The acid will rot concrete structures. See link below for documents.
Otherwise, the best location for an observatory or other similar facilities will be determined by the access (new roads should be minimised) and by the orientation (it is harder to view the birds against the sun).
Also, you need to consider what is happening in the catchment of the salt marsh. If stormwater or drainage reaches the salt marsh from upstream, you may need to consider some complicated engineering or soft engineering structures around the upstream edges of your wetland to capture the incoming water and filter out pollutants such as plastic bags or nitrogen/phosphorus or sediment.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
Thank you for your time. Please discuss the optimizing parameters when you analyze the catchment area of the MRT station in (tropical) cities, include:
- distance
- direction and entrance of the stations.
- landscape design
- passenger behavior
-...
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi, I found some useful articles on principles and related strategies draw upon transit-oriented development (TOD) concepts. Hope they are of useful to your study.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
17 answers
I have started a research on trees at small sacral architecture in the rural landscape last year (within a larger work on rural green infrastructure) as a partial aspect. So far, I have evidence of 8 small sacral elements, which are accompanied by old trees (there are many other without trees or with young trees). These are located in 6 municipalities (cadastral territories), accompanied with in total 19 old memorial trees. In the compositon of 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 trees at a particular object. An interesting finding is, that all these trees are horse chestnuts Aesculus hippocastanum L. I will extend this research in the coming summer to more cadastral territories in order to cover a larger area with more sacral elements and I am wondering, if someone would like to join me in a different region, country, culture, etc. It could end up in a nice paper and after some years even in a book. Looking forward to your questions and interest.
Best regards from Nitra,
Attila
Relevant answer
Answer
 Dear Attila,
recently, we finished the project about Landscape character assessment in Central Serbia. We collected numerous data about ancient trees (Zapis), small wooden churches, and all other evidence of cultural heritage. If you find it interesting, and useful, feel free to contact me about the research.
Best regards,
Dragana 
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
6 answers
Hi all,
 I made a comparison between different types of optimization techniques, among them was particle swarm optimization..
My question is how can I plot heat map or 3d plots to show what the fitness landscape look likes?
thanks,
enas
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
1 answer
I kindly need your visual opinions and comments as visitors of Waterfront (joggers, artists, etc).
Relevant answer
Answer
Dear Majid,
I think that one of the main issues is the continuity of the waterfront public promenade, its urban quality and its connection with the neighbouring programmes of commercial and residential urbanism as well as with public transportation. In such contexts, the work of urbanists, planners and architects has to integrate the micro-dimension of daily uses and trajectories as well as the more macro-dimension of the connection with the rest of the city. It is in my opinion this ability to play on both scales that allows (among other factors like the negociation with private developers of the extent and nature of public spaces) a project to acquire a specific value in terms of urbanity.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
6 answers
I have compared two carefully selected conditions: contemplative landscapes (CL) with non-contemplative landscapes (NCL). After data aquisition and processing I have obtained a statictically significant difference between conditions in the temporal activity for all power spectra, more precisely right temporal lobe activity greater for the CL condition . 
There is no statistical differences between conditions in terms of frontal and parietal lobes. 
I would be grateful for some guidlines on how to interpret and explain that. So far I am trying to connect it with visual attention , or ADHD, but still didn´t figure out how. And what about the right asymmetry...
Relevant answer
Answer
It sounds that you have managed to establish a good classification for types of landscapes, this is a good initial outcome, and one that can be shared with others already. 
Secondly you appear to have identified a link between certain types of landscapes and altered cognitive activity, another good outcome, giving you evidence to support your types of classification. i.e. you have proven that there is actually a difference between CL and NCL as you have classified them, by showing it affects our cognitive activity. 
The next step requires some hypotheses about why this might be the case. This is more complex and will also require evidence. I have suggested one idea; that the characteristics of a 'contemplative landscape' cause us to focus more closely, thus increasing brain activity. I am sure that there are other potential reasons. Another reason may be that CLs facilitate a more meditative mindset which allows for deeper thinking or the retrieval of more meaningful memories, or thoughts. While it is possible to suggest possible explanations you will need to do some more tests for each hypothesis to identify which is right.
Finally, in order to identify whether there are any benefits of CLs over NCLs, you will need to establishing some metrics against which you can measure difference. What constitutes 'better'? Is it that we are happier when we look at CLs, is it beneficial for our physical health, or mental wellbeing? Do we live longer if we are in places with CLs? The question will affect the tests. For example, if you want to know how CLs affect our physical health, then you will have to find a way of measuring health changes of subjects who are engaged with a particular type of landscape.
Be careful of trying to justify an idea that is not yet evidenced by your research. Though there is a connection, as you show, between certain types of landscape and cognitive responses, there is nothing yet to imply that this response is 'better' for humans. Unless you have other information that you have not shared yet, I can't see from your approach why CLs should mean an increased quality of life. You should be asking 'do CLs provide an increase quality of life? Then ask why if it turns out that they do. The question is most important. Think about what question is within your capability of answering. 
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
3 answers
I need to construct voronoi diagrams to trees in a plot, but I want to weight the end surface of the tiles by the size of the trees!
In this paper the author use a specific program to build them but at the moment I can not get it.
Greetings!
Relevant answer
Answer
Nicolas,
I'm sorry I can't be more help. Best of luck finding a solution!
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
3 answers
The theory of landscape design will be effected by which kind of factors? Is it the style of landscape design means the theory of this design? 
If  i need to create a new design in Austin Park, how can i find the most suitable theory to this area? Is it I need to consider one theme to this park firstly?
Relevant answer
Answer
Whatever the approach or method you use, a landscape study of the site before development is paramount. In this study you will inventory:
  - Inventory of areas in which the characters are to reinforce the positives and minimize the negatives for;
  - Inventory of outstanding elements to be taken into account when planning.  
 Regards
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
There are several sites around Geelong and around Australia that have the annual rainfall amounts.
here we don't talk about the drought tolerant plants.
The question is that pond is or is not a viable option to make the sites looks refreshing rather than dryness. 
Relevant answer
Answer
Dear Raymond
I do not think that the pond is a viable option in landscaping to cool in the physical sense. against by any body of water in arid sites (very low rainfall) will have some impact on the viewer or observer not only aesthetically but psychically generating well being giving a cooling sensation. To illustrate I will say, the mirage of an oasis in the desert.  
 Best regards
FADEL
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
10 answers
In some current Urban Forest  Strategies, the urban heat island effect is being a challenge and issue to the forest. Is it possible to improve it by landscape design of the forest?
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi Jing: To quantify the impacts, we use the following methods:
  • preference for landscapes with varying levels of green infrastructure
  • human reactions beyond preference to these same landscapes (e.g., stress reactions measured by self-reports, physiological tools like the ProComp Infinity 5, and hormonal measures for cortisol.
  • measures of attention (this grows from Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory).
Hope this helps.
William
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
I'm looking for a program to visualize my hand drawn core descriptions. Preferably freeware and unlike Corel / Illistrator / Inkscape.
Relevant answer
Answer
You've mentioned hand drawn descriptions which usually mean using pixel based illustration software (by opposition to vector drawing like illustrator or inkscape). The following software are free but art oriented (so no scientific package to specifically visualize core descriptions):
Pencil (for 2D animation): http://www.pencil-animation.org/
Krita (very complete pixel illustration): https://krita.org/
Pixrl (Editor): http://apps.pixlr.com/editor/  (this is a browser software)
And obviously you have the very well known Gimp: http://www.gimp.org/
You have compatible formats between software so you can make the core diagrams in whatever you fell more comfortable (inkscape for example). Export it as png and import it into a pixel based illustration software. From there it's easy to overlap your own drawn instructions into a final image. If you're going to do this a lot you may want to consider getting a touchpad with pen (example: http://www.wacom.com/en-us/products/navigation/bamboo-pad-wireless) since you can make them directly within the computer.
If you share an example of what you're trying to achieve maybe someone could help you better.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
3 answers
My basic understanding is that the majority of the field emerged from pioneering research from Americans such as Fredrick Turners Frontier Thesis. My main objective is to gain a better understanding of the chronology of environmental history. Furthermore my definition of environmental history includes both humans relations with animals and landscapes. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
Relevant answer
Answer
I recommend the following book:  J. Donald Hughes, What is Environmental History? Polity Press 2006, ISBN-10. 0-7456-3188-6.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
4 answers
Integrated land form relation with vegetation (both the habitats) studies are not so popular in the Indian subcontinent, though are very imperative for landscape planning, wild life conservation and overall developmental planning processes. They are especially important for the Himalayan terrain where development is needed with parallel inputs of both the disciplines for better planning.
Relevant answer
Answer
In my opinion it is very appropriate to use information geobotany as a layer(s) in the GIS to plan and/or manage natural resources. It's not widespread in protected areas, but I think it is an excellent idea.
  • asked a question related to Landscape Design
Question
3 answers
Except CH2 building and rooftop garden at the Burnley campus of the University of Melbourne, we almost cannot find many green roofs in Melbourne. However, through the picture, we can see the green roofs occupy the most of the city of Sydney.
Relevant answer
Answer
As far as I know, I think the main problem is the rainfall. Commonly, the roof plants need frequent rainfall, but the rainfall capacity is not very enough in Melbourne. The yearly rainfall in Melbourne is 649.7 mm, while in Sydney is 1213.9 mm.