Sustainable Landscape Architecture

1
Sustainable Landscape Architecture

• Module 13

2
Landscape Architecture

• Landscape Ecology Terms and Concepts
• Integrating Human and Natural Systems
• Site Management Strategies
• Sustainable Design Criteria
• Case Studies

3
Landscape Ecology

• Landscape ecology explores how a heterogeneous
  combination of ecosystems is structured,
  functions, and changes.
• Focuses on
• Distribution patterns of landscape elements or
  ecosystems
• Flows of animals, plants, energy, mineral
  nutrients and water among these elements
• Ecological changes in the landscape mosaic over
  time.

4
Concepts

• Scale the level of spatial resolution
  perceived or considered.
• Patch a nonlinear surface area differing in
  appearance from its surroundings.
• Corridor a narrow strip of land that differs
  from the matrix on either side.
• Matrix a surrounding area that has a different
  structure or composition.
• Edge an outer band of a patch that has an
  environment significantly different from the
  interior of the patch.

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Terms

• Bioregion the natural countries of the planet
  determined initially by use of climatology,
  physiography, animal and plant geography, natural
  history
• Landscape a composite feature in which elements
  of function and of use combine with values that
  transcend them
• Ecosystem the network of the interactions
  between organisms and their environment
  boundaries are defined by the person studying it

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Scale

• Six common divisions below global scale
• Subcontinental
• Regional
• Plan Unit
• Project
• Site
• Construction
• Each level interacts with next larger (is
  directed by it) and with next smaller (depends
  upon it)
• (Lyle, 1999)

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Global Biogeochemical Cycle
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Global Biogeochemical Cycle

• Chemical elements found in 4 spheres
• Atmosphere mostly gases, aerosols extends from
  earth to space
• Biosphere all organisms
• Geosphere mostly soil, rock, sediments
• Hydrosphere all liquid and solid water standing
  and flowing over and through the geosphere

9
Hydrologic Cycle

• Anthropogenic effects
• Watershed degradation
• Crop production
• Water diversion
• Alteration of water chemistry

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Hydrologic Cycle

• Methods for alleviating anthropogenic effects
• Use of patch cutting, thinning, control burning,
  and re-vegetation practices
• Graze at carrying-capacity levels
• Contour plowing, terracing, perennial crop
  production
• Rain water harvesting, managing run-off

11
Landscape as Process

• Conversion
• Distribution
• Filtration
• Assimilation
• Storage
• (Lyle, 1994, p.27)

12
Landscape Contrast

• In nature we can find patches separated from one
  another with abrupt boundaries, with various
  kinds of transition zones, or with a gradual
  continuous change in species. The gradual change
  is most characteristic of certain natural
  landscapes without significant human influence
  evident. Other natural landscapes have
  predominantly abrupt boundaries, due either to
  abrupt changes in the physical environment
  through space, or to frequent natural
  disturbances.

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Landscape Modification Gradient

• Natural Landscape without significant human
  impact
• Managed Landscape e.g. pastureland or forest,
  where native species are managed and harvested
• Cultivated Landscape villages and patches of
  natural or managed ecosystems scattered within
  the predominant cultivation
• Suburban Landscape heterogeneous patchy mixture
  of residential, commercial, cropland, managed
  vegetation, natural areas
• Urban Landscape managed park areas and natural
  remnants scattered in a densely built-up matrix
  several kilometers across.

14
Urban Ecology as Landscape Ecology

• Applies same examination of structure, function,
  and flows to analysis of urban landscapes
• Useful for determining optimum placement of
  features of the built environment in or near
  elements of the natural landscape

15
Fragmentation

• The issue of fragmentation needs to be addressed.
  If at all possible, the landscape needs to
  provide corridors for wildlife movement. If
  movement is denied, the exchange of genes between
  individuals of a species may be impeded resulting
  in a genetically limited species. An example is
  the plight of the Florida panther.

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Design Considerations

• Can development impacts on a site be minimized?
• What inputs (energy, material, labor, products)
  are necessary to support a development option,
  and are required inputs available?
• Can waste outputs (solid waste, sewage effluent,
  exhaust emissions) be dealt with at acceptable
  environmental costs?

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Design Considerations

• The Appearance of Sustainability
• Does not exclude human presence
• Does not disguise human effects, but eliminates
  them
• Mimics natural and regional forms
• Integrates and balances human and natural
  geometries

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Traditional (Industrial) Systems vs. Regenerative
Systems

• Traditional concentrated, accelerated
• Regenerative dispersed, decelerated
• whatever the means used, sustainability requires
  that the basic processes not be exploited beyond
  their capacity for renewal.
• (Lyle, 1994, p.29)

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12 Strategies for Integrated Design

• Let nature do the work
• Consider nature as model and context
• Aggregate, dont isolate
• Seek optimum levels for multiple functions, not
  max or minimum for any one
• Match technology to needs

• Use information to replace power
• Provide multiple pathways
• Seek common solutions to disparate problems
• Manage storage as a key to sustainability
• Shape form to guide flow
• Shape form to manifest process
• Prioritize for sustainability

20
Integrating Human and Natural Systems

• Intensity of Use loosely analogous to Landscape
  Modification Gradient. Group like intensities
  where possible, and buffer high- or low-intensity
  uses with uses of a more moderate nature (e.g.
  commercial residential silviculture or
  agriculture residential commercial
  industrial)

21
Integrating Human and Natural Systems

• Conservation Design Follows an analytical
  process to identify areas most suited to
  development, in order to cluster structures and
  infrastructure and preserve more sensitive lands
  as open space. See Randall Arendt, Conservation
  Design for Suburban Landscapes.

22
Integrating Human and Natural Systems

• Built environment should reflect bioregionalism
• Sensitivity to large-scale processes that shape
  the landscape
• Attention to interaction with local ecosystem

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Natural Characteristics of Site DesignRainfall

• To reduce energy use of importation, rainfall
  should be caught on-site for human uses
• Runoff should be channeled to permeable retention
  ponds that will allow drainage into groundwater

24
Natural Characteristics of Site DesignSun

• Shade from sun should be provided by natural
  vegetation, or from shelters made of recycled
  materials
• Vegetation directly surrounding the building
  should be chosen and placed in a manner that will
  allow natural light to enter the building

25
Natural Characteristics of Site DesignWind

• Natural air conditioning
• Orient buildings and outdoor gathering places to
  take advantage of winds cooling effect

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Natural Characteristics of Site Design

• Topography elevated walkways should be used to
  protect the landscape from soil erosion in
  steeper slope areas such as coastal sand dunes
• Geology designing with geologic features such
  as rock outcrops can enhance the sense of place
• Aquatic Ecosytems development should be set
  back from the aquatic zone and protective
  measures taken to address indirect environmental
  impacts

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Natural Characteristics of Site Design

• Vegetation Avoid the use of exotics, natives
  will ensure a healthy, sustainable landscape.
  Try to encourage biodiversity but varying the
  plant species
• Wildlife Maintain as much of the original
  habitat as possible to lessen the burden on
  resident wildlife
• Visual Character Use native building materials.
  Work with the topography and vegetation to
  hide the building

28
Site Management

• Site Reconnaissance
• Locate site features
• Protect streams, lakes, wetlands
• Tap into local knowledge
• Avoid Survey Damage
• Manage line-of-sight-surveys
• Use alternative survey technology (GIS, GPS,
  laser)

29
Site Management

• Minimize Utility Damage
• Use narrow easements
• Keep urban utilities accessible
• Protect Site During Construction
• Designate protected areas
• Limit on-site stockpiling, parking, etc
• Choosing staging areas carefully

30
Site Management

• Preserve Healthy Soils
• Avoid compaction
• Dont improve healthy native soils
• Save Every Possible Existing Tree
• Remove early, if at all
• Dont save half a tree
• Avoid grade changes near trees

31
Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Promote spiritual harmony with, and embody an
  ethical responsibility to, the native landscape
  and its resources
• Plan landscape development according to the
  surrounding context rather than by overlaying
  familiar patterns and solutions

32
Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Do not sacrifice ecological integrity or economic
  viability in a sustainable development both are
  equally important factors in the development
  process

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Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Understand the site as an integrated ecosystem
  with changes occurring over time in dynamic
  balance the impacts of development must be
  confined within these natural changes

34
Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Allow simplicity of functions to prevail, while
  respecting basic human needs of comfort and
  safety
• Recognize there is no such thing as waste, only
  resources out of place

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Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Assess feasibility of development in long-term
  social and environmental costs, not just
  short-term construction costs
• Analyze and model water and nutrient cycles prior
  to development intervention - "First, do no harm"

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Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Minimize areas of vegetation disturbance, earth
  grading, and water channel alternation
• Locate structures to take maximum advantage of
  passive energy technologies to provide for human
  comfort

37
Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Provide space for processing all wastes created
  onsite (collection/recycling facilities,
  digesters, lagoons, etc.) so that no hazardous or
  destructive wastes will be released into the
  environment

38
Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Determine environmentally safe means of onsite
  energy production and storage in the early stages
  of site planning
• Phase development to allow for the monitoring of
  cumulative environmental impacts of development

39
Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Allow the natural ecosystem to be
  self-maintaining to the greatest extent possible
• Incorporate indigenous materials and crafts into
  structures, native plants into landscaping, and
  local customs into programs and operations

40
Sustainable Design Criteria

• National Park Service Recommendations
• Develop facilities to integrate selected
  maintenance functions such as energy
  conservation, waste reduction, recycling, and
  resource conservation into the visitor experience

41
Case Studies

• Louisville Waterfront Park
• Recycled Biosolids
• Ecological Design
• Biba Hot Springs
• Farallones Institute

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Louisville Waterfront Park

• Strolling Trails
• Riparian and wetland development for flood
  control
• Allows aesthetic, flowing view between the city
  and the river

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Recycled Biosolids

• Can be used to fertilize crops
• Reduces chemical fertilizers used
• Needs a good Public Relations program to overcome
  the gross factor

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Ecological DesignBiba Hot Springs, Washington
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Ecological DesignFarallones Institute,
California

• Served as a research and teaching facility on
  sustainability
• Integrates architecture, agriculture, waste
  recycling, water conservation, and renewable
  energy
• Solar dwellings, and organic gardens

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References

• Forman, RTT and M Godron. 1986. Landscape
  Ecology. New York Wiley Sons.
• Lyle, John T. 1994. Regenerative Design for
  Sustainable Development. New York John Wiley
  Sons.
• Lyle, John T. 1999. Design for Human
  Ecosystems. Washington, DC Island Press.
• Thompson, J. William, Sorvig, Kim. 2000.
  Sustainable Landscape Construction. Washington,
  DC Island Press.

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Recommended Reading

• Dramstad, WE D Olson and RTT Forman. 1996.
  Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape
  Architecture and Land-Use Planning. Washington,
  DC Island Press.