Sustainable landscape architecture

Sustainable landscape architecture is a category of sustainable design concerned with the planning and design of the built and natural environments.[1][2]

The design of a sustainable landscape encompasses the three pillars of sustainable development: economic well-being, social equity and environmental protections. The United Cities and Local Governments, UNESCO, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development further recommend including a fourth pillar of cultural preservation to create successful sustainable landscape designs.[3][4] Creating a sustainable landscape requires consideration of ecology, history, cultural associations, sociopolitical dynamics, geology, topography, soils, land use, and architecture.[5] Methods used to create sustainable landscapes include recycling, restoration, species reintroduction, and many more.[6]

The multidisciplinary factors which contribute to a sustainable landscape.

Goals of sustainable landscape architecture include a reduction of pollution, heightened water management and thoughtful vegetation choices.[5]

An example of sustainable landscape architecture is the design of a sustainable urban drainage system, which can protect wildlife habitats, improve recreational facilities and save money through flood control. Another example is the design of a green roof or a roof garden that also contributes to the sustainability of a landscape architecture project. The roof will help manage surface water, decrease environmental impacts and provide space for recreation.

  1. ^ Orr, Stephen. "A Sustainability That Aims to Seduce". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  2. ^ American Society of Landscape Architects. (2020). What is Landscape Architecture? Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://www.asla.org/aboutlandscapearchitecture.aspx Archived 2021-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Petrişor AI. (2014) GIS-Based Methodology for the Analysis of Regional Landscapes and Their Changes Based on Land Cover and Use: A Planning Perspective Aimed at Conserving the Natural Heritage. In: Crăciun C., Bostenaru Dan M. (eds) Planning and Designing Sustainable and Resilient Landscapes. Springer Geography. Springer, Dordrecht.
  4. ^ United Cities and Local Governments (2010) Culture: fourth pillar of sustainable development. Policy statement. United Cities and Local Governments, Barcelona, Spain
  5. ^ a b Bean, C., & Yang (Mayla), C. (2009, October). Standards in Sustainable Landscape Architecture. Retrieved December 17, 2020, from https://soa.utexas.edu/sites/default/disk/preliminary/preliminary/4-Bean_Yang-Standards_in_Sustainable_Landscape_Architecture.pdf Archived 2021-11-23 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Hong, SK., Song, IJ. & Wu, J. Fengshui theory in urban landscape planning. Urban Ecosyst 10, 221–237 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-006-3263-2 Archived 2021-11-23 at the Wayback Machine