“Landscape urbanism is a mode of thinking about the design of cities that places landscape as one of the first steps in urban development, rather than the last.”
Landscape urbanism (dot) com seeks to provide a platform for students, academics, practitioners and enthusiasts to participate in the ongoing dialogue and debate around the term and concept of landscape urbanism. Landscape urbanism is a mode of thinking about the design and functioning of cities that uses landscape as the lens by which cities are both understood and shaped. The website is comprised of three main sections: an online journal, a visual library of projects—and an ongoing blog.
This website is about interrogating, challenging and opening up dialogue for new and diverse interpretation of the theory, expression and potential of landscape urbanism and its relevance for the contemporary urban project. We seek to promote ongoing conversation among design professionals, clients, educators, public participants, students, artists, writers, and others interested in the design and configuration of the built environment. By providing a web-based platform, we aim to create a transparent and accessible format for dialogue and critique.
What is Landscape Urbanism?
Landscape urbanism posits a process of city building that places landscape architecture as the formative step in urban development rather than the last, and says that landscape architecture’s role lies as much in the design and planning of transportation and habitat corridors, stormwater and sewage treatment infrastructure, remediation of post-industrial toxic lands, and long-term real estate processes, as in the design and construction of traditional parks and gardens. Landscape urbanism expands the scope of landscape architecture’s inquiry and intervention. It tackles the intersection of design, policy and ecological planning in an inclusive effort to make better urban environments, across disciplinary boundaries.
The term landscape urbanism is not new. It has been used, predominantly in academia, for the last two decades. Still, the term remains poorly understood, narrowly defined and is controversial among landscape practitioners. Nevertheless, the term continues to evolve as practitioners have adopted, adapted and challenged its initial formulation.
Others have posited different definitions, and we think that the debate around terms is healthy and essential. Contributors to the journal continue to interrogate the history and development of the term.
Connect + Participate.
A website, a project, a landscape, a city—these are not solo endeavors. A team of talented landscape architects, planners, architects, urbanists, artists, and designers contributed to the creation of this site. Join us and become a part of the conversation: submit your work, essays, or projects to be featured on the site. Email us with questions. Sign up to stay notified on the publication of new issues. Subscribe to our blog. Or connect with us on social media—you can find us on Facebook and on Twitter.
Our Team:
Website Founder & Editor:
Sarah Kathleen Peck
Journal Editors:
Stephanie Carlisle
Nicholas Pevzner
Website Associate Editors:
Eliza Shaw Valk
Stephanie Carlisle
Nicholas Pevzner
Journal Issue Editors:
Issue 1: Sarah Kathleen Peck & Eliza Shaw Valk
Issue 2: Sarah Kathleen Peck & Eliza Shaw Valk
Issue 3: Stephanie Carlisle & Nicholas Pevzner
Contributors:
Gerdo Aquino, Ariana Bain, Adrian Benepe, Charles Birnbaum, Aldo Burcheri, Julie Canter, Stephanie Carlisle, Roman Chiu, Peter Chomko, Jeanette Compton, Leo Robleto Costante, Carolyn Deuschle, Mona El Khafif, Grady Gillies, Eva Gladek, Christopher Gray, Andrea Hansen, Katherine Harvey, Lea Johnson, Renee Kaufman, Jason King, Jai Kumaran, Shanti Fjord Levy, Amelia Magida, Lauren Manning, Charles McKinney, Melinda McMillan, Elizabeth Meyer, Michael Miller, Laura Mosca, Charly Nelson, Nicholas Pevzner, Brian Phelps, Michael Pinto, Izabela Riano, Christian Runge, Meg Studer, Clayton Taylor, Laura Tepper, Eliza Shaw Valk, Charles Waldheim, Amanda Walter, Ronald Woudstra, Richard Saul Wurman
Collaborators + History:
This project was made possible by an early Fellowship from SWA Group, a global landscape architecture and urban design firm. During the month-long Fellowship in 2010, Sarah Peck built the first version of the site, with fellowship advisors Gerdo Aquino, Ying-Yu Hung, Kevin Shanley, and Elizabeth Shreeve. Since it’s launch, the project went on to become an independently-owned and operated site. The website and journal are now a collaboration between designers, writers, and firms around the globe.
Patrick Curran Fellowship Advisors:
Gerdo Aquino,Ying-Yu Hung, Kevin Shanley, Elizabeth Shreeve, Charles Waldheim.
Landscape Urbanism 2011 Advisory Team:
Kira Appelhans, Garrett Avery, Julie Canter, Stephanie Carlisle, Ilse Frank, Lily Jencks, Douglas Meehan, Maritza Mercado, Nicholas Pevzner, Eliza Shaw Valk.
our team
The project is guided by the hands of the following team - the advisory board to the landscape urbanism website:
