Landscape architecture involves the planning, design, management, and nurturing of the built and natural environments. Professional Landscape architects work to improve human and environmental health in all communities. They plan and design parks, campuses, streetscapes, trails, plazas, residences, and other projects that strengthen communities.
When man builds, he must take both nature and society into account. With this concept – the ecological approach to landscape architecture, both the natural and man-made environment should be blended to produce a harmonious whole, so that while altering the ‘living system’, the vital inter-relationships between living and non-living things are not distributed. It is with this insight and understanding that the landscape architect plans his work. As such the role of landscape architect and his profound insights into the functioning of the ‘living system’ assumes very much importance nowadays. Landscape architects contribute to the success and wellbeing of people by:
- protecting natural areas (and the environment); enhancing biodiversity
- building healthy and vibrant communities
- addressing climate change (managing the impact of climate change and using natural system to reduce the global warming trend)
- green infrastructure (including green streets and green roofs and active transportation)
- contributing to the economy.
Lawrence Harpin, the eminent landscape architect says “if one can step for a moment into an outdoor space, no matter how small and get a glimpse of the sky and the smell of the earth, trees and flowers, then the overwhelming scale and density of urban life can be largely overcome”.
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