Sustainability: More Than Green Buildings And Gadgets
Sure, a new LEED certified building is great, and a cool new energy efficient gadget is a must-have, but let’s start talking about what real sustainability is all about. More than just built objects, obtaining a measure of sustainability in our communities relies more on a holistic solution to pressing environmental issues. These solutions emerge out of a profession and a design process that involves creating a sense of place, identity and belonging - a profession that has historically taken a back-seat to architecture.
As early as the 16th and 17th centuries, Landscape Architecture has been a design discipline rooted in “space making” and creating important connections between people and their surrounding environment. But sadly, to this day, we have consistently failed to understand the importance of the landscapes between our buildings - the spaces that connect, direct, inspire and heal.
Martha Schwartz is a landscape architect specializing in master plans, art commissions, urban renewal and redevelopment. In a recent article highlighted in “The Green Room“, Martha sheds some light on the importance of her profession in solving many of the problems that face our communities today.
She describes that “the landscape is the canvas upon which we live our lives, join together as communities and build our cities. Embedded and integral to the landscape are the ecological systems that must be understood and respected, as well as the infrastructural systems connecting us all together.”
According to Schwartz, our intense focus on buildings and architecture, and the neglect of landscape systems, can be attributed to the fact that “the uses of resources and energy can be addressed with a degree of simplicity and directness.” The result is that landscape architecture is often not part of the sustainable conversation and therefore has less impact on improving the environment.
Martha is not just talking about the design of gardens, courtyards or even green roofs. The focus here is on the most sustainable form of human habitation - the city. And this is where landscape architects can make an enormous impact.
The city is a hub for education, activism and change. And now more than ever, it is a place for understanding sustainable actions and choices. We must continue to encourage people to live more closely to each other in these environments so that this collection of sustainable knowledge can be shared between people and inspire positive change.
“Landscape architects ought to help make cities better places for all who live within them through the establishment of good connectivity and open spaces, the promotion of public transportation and, very importantly, ensuring water is used responsibly, with run-off being managed and put back into the ground.”
Through careful and inspired design, our cities can become places that have significance and a vitality that attracts people to them. In addition, the local ecology will begin to flourish with an abundance of trees, shrubs, and permeable surfaces that encourage healthy wildlife habitat.
So, how do we make sure that this design process gets incorporated into our city planning? Schwartz describes three straightforward steps that are ”key to deciding whether cities can develop effectively for the 21st Century, or remain mired in yesterday’s thinking.”
1) Incorporate the expertise of landscape architects into the planning process leading up to the establishment of sustainable agendas.
2) Increase sustainability education for students of landscape architecture, architecture, and urban development.
3) American builders should learn from the design processes in European urban planning, but extend their minds to reflect the sophistication of landscape thinking.
What do you think? Does our society focus too much on green buildings and gadgets? Is landscape architecture the “behind-the-scenes” catalyst Martha claims it to be? What other factors can contribute to developing sustainable cities?
In addition to presenting you with inspired dialogue, GreenFab is actively engaged in the fight to create sustainable cities. Read the “Our Tools” section of our website to learn more about how we incorporate “Sustainable Design Systems” into our projects.
Source: BBC News
