Short communication
Landscape planning: its contributions to the evolution of the profession of landscape architecture

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Abstract

Landscape planning, a subdiscipline of the field of landscape architecture, has helped define the profession over the past twenty five years. Landscape planning endorses the tenets of the Natural Environmental Policy Act [NEPA, 1969. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Public Law No. 91-190 91st Congress, second session (NEPA) pp. 1–5] and thereby promotes landscape architects and landscape planners as major players in changing landscapes. Changing landscapes is focused on developing valid designs that promote ecological integrity. Aesthetic form resulting from these changes is also a concern but must respect ecological function and structure first. Landscape planning will take on an even greater role in the future by; redefining the profession; by contributing to the knowledge base of good design decisions, and creating new advances in planning and design theory.

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Preamble

The inaugural Fábos Landscape Planning and Greenway Symposium was held on April 17, 2004 in Amherst, Massachusetts on the University of Massachusetts campus. The symposium brought together experts who have influenced landscape planning, policy making and planning theory from the local to the international level. Panelists discussed innovative greenway planning techniques, partnership, development, advances in landscape planning research, and greenway implementation strategies.

The Fábos fund

Defining the field

If any profession is to have success it must have an identity. In 1981 Lane Marshall former ASLA President and fellow redefined the profession as follows (Marshall, 1981).

The art of design, planning and management of natural and man-made elements there on through application of cultural and scientific knowledge, with concerns for resource conservation and stewardship to the end that the resultant environment serves useful and enjoyable purpose.

In so doing a declaration of a new order was

Changing landscapes

This definition was noted by many professionals in our larger circle of associates as I was soon to find out. In 1987 the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation (RNRF) located in Bethesda, Maryland expanded its ranks by one with the addition of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The members of this group represented some of the most respected professional societies in North America.

Included among them were

  • The Coastal Society;

  • The American Water Resources Association;

  • Resources

Aesthetic form-ecological concern

Recently, some critics have focused their attention on the ecological soundness of ASLA design award winners noting their eye catching qualities for aesthetic form but lack of value for ecological concerns in their designs. Equally disturbing, the critic remarks, are the many ecological designs that can send viewers fleeing to the nearest Italian gardens.

I suspect most if not all the projects referred to were conceived to be the product of either good aesthetic design thinking or good

Summary

Landscape and greenway planning will continue to lead landscape architects into new areas of design expression. From Frederick Law Olmsted's work on “Greensward” (Central Park, NY) in 1858 to Burton McKaye's Appalachian Trail Plan in 1921 to the 2003 ASLA Design Award Winners, Menomonee River Valley, WI. by Wenk and Associates (Denver) and HNTB (Milwaukee) and Buffalo Bayou Houston, Texas by Thompson Design Group, all of these works demonstrate what has been and what will be in terms of future

Conclusion

The Fábos Landscape and Greenway Symposium has addressed issues at the regional, state, national and international scale. We have explored innovations in research, theory and practice. We have discovered what many of us have suspected. The contributions that have been made are profound, profound to our society and profound to our supporting environment.

Biologists tell us the consequences of our resource depletion, expanding population and environmental pollution now have measurable effects on

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