Faced with growing social, political and economic concern over the use of natural resources, and the potential effects of a changing climate, there has never been a more important time to ensure that the sustainable use of natural resources is the backbone of design.
The Importance of Green Infrastructure
A landscape-led approach will strengthen the connectivity of environmental networks and protect and enhance biodiversity. Part of this involves making green infrastructure integral to the design. This is increasingly recognised by those creating sustainable communities. From gardens to countryside, rivers and coasts, green infrastructure provides a rich variety of benefits to adapt to climate change and reduce flood risk.
The role of the Landscape Architect
Every site needs to work with the natural environment, to limit the impact of rising greenhouse gas emissions and the threat of food shortages. The profession makes it easier to take a holistic approach to development – to reinforce commercial and public objectives by delivering resilience in the face of a changing climate.
At the strategic/city-region scale, landscape architects play an important role in significant infrastructure projects, including energy, waste, transport and ports, and in delivering green infrastructure – that is, connected and multifunctional landscapes. They masterplan new developments and employment areas, and work on large-scale rural landscape change, such as forestry and agriculture. Landscape architects assess and resolve environmental, economic and social opportunities and constraints. This can include townscape, landscape and seascape assessments and will address the potential and capacity of an area to accommodate change.
Some inspiration:
Water Sensitive Urban Design
Green roofs
Rail corridors
Freeways
Coastal
Waterways
National Parks
Cultural landscapes