Table 1.

Previous Studies That Identified Top Topics/Themes in LA Research

StudyStudy MethodQuantitative SynthesisInterpretive SynthesisAnalytical MethodTop Topics Identified*
Publication OutletPublication DateNumber of Articles
Powers and Walker (2009)Quantitative synthesisLandscape Journal1981-2005312Content analysis

  1. History and Culture (24%)

  2. Landscape Planning and Ecology (19%)

  3. Human and Environment Relationships (13%)

  4. Design Theory (8%)

  5. Urban Design (7%)

  6. Landscape Design and Implementation (6%)

  7. Communication and Visualization (6%)

  8. Methods of Inquiry (5%)

  9. Sustainability (5%)

  10. Landscape Architecture as a Profession (5%)

  11. Design Education and Pedagogy (3%)

Gobster, Nassauer, and Nadenicek (2010)Quantitative synthesisLandscape Journal1982-2008359Citation analysis

  1. Landscape history/people/historic preservation (27%)

  2. Theory/criticism of design, ecology, aesthetics (19%)

  3. Landscape perception/assessment (13%)

  4. LA education/research/profession (10%)

  5. Design case study/methods (9)

  6. Environmental management/sustainable design/urban forestry (8%)

  7. Regional planning/policy (7%)

  8. Other (4%)

  9. Technique/GIS/computer graphics/visualization (3%)

Deming and Swaffield (2011)Interpretive synthesis

  • IFLA definition of LA professional activity

  • LABOK knowledge domains for professional development

Interpretive synthesis

  • Design and planning of sustainable landscape systems

  • Understanding social and cultural values and processes in landscape

  • Healthy and livable communities

  • Urban regeneration

  • Le Notre key areas of knowledge and expertise

  • Powers and Walker (2009)

  • CELA member survey of priorities for new research in landscape architecture

Cushing and Renata (2015)Quantitative synthesisLandscape Journal, Landscape Review, Journal of Landscape Architecture1982-2012441Content analysis

  1. History (28%)

  2. Social and Cultural Process and Issues (13%)

  3. Aesthetics (12%)

  4. Landscape and Land-Use Planning (11%)

  5. Parks and Open Space (10%)

  6. Design Theory and Practice (10%)

  7. Education/Pedagogy (10%)

  8. Urban Design (10%)

  9. Human-Environment Interactions (9%)

  10. Gardens (9%)

Meijering et al. (2015)Survey & Delphi methodContent analysis

  • Human dimensions of planning and design

  • Green urban development

  • Built environments and infrastructure

  • Global landscape issues

  • Theories

  • Measuring landscape architecture performance and impact

  • Rural and natural environments

  • Historic dimensions of planning and design

  • Biophysical dimensions of planning and design

  • Values and ethics

  • Artistic creativity

  • Policy and governance

  • Aquatic environments

  • Tools and technologies

  • Landscape architecture education

  • Development of applied methods and techniques

  • Education of landscape architects

Vicenzotti et al. (2016)Quantitative synthesisLandscape Research1976-2014788Content analysis

  1. Landscape planning and ecology (31%)

  2. History and culture (22%)

  3. Human and environment relationships (16%)

  4. Sustainability and perception (14%)

  5. Urban design (5%)

  6. Landscape design and implementation (5%)

  7. Design theory, methods of inquiry (4%)

  8. Communication and visualization (3%)

  9. Design education and pedagogy (1%)

  10. Landscape architecture profession (1%)

Langley, Corry, and Brown (2018)Interpretive synthesis

  • Fein Report (Fein, 1972)

  • LABOK knowledge domains for professional development

  • Powers and Walker (2009)

  • The course titles of accredited MLA program in North America (2015)

Interpretive synthesis

  • Design

  • Construction

  • Natural

  • Social

  • Theory and history

  • Media, technology, and communication

  • Planning

  • Profession

  • Research

  • Education