Landscape architecture and environmental protection: Contemporary planning approaches and issues (original) (raw)

This paper deals with issues of environmental protection through the discipline of Landscape Architecture. More specifically it examines the possibilities and potential of a synergy between different scientific fields, ecology or design orientated, towards the protection, enhancement and upgrading of the environment in general. It is in the outcome of strong influence and interconnection between landscape architecture and environmental sciences such as Landscape Ecology, or in the evolution of ecological design, where new methods and approaches within landscape planning and design develop. They seem to combine knowledge and experience of the above fields, and bring forward the notions of ecoregion, ecosystem, territory, temporality etc., as well as the need of inventing new design tools and methods, based on programming and strategic design. Their multi-layered advantages towards sustainability and especially towards environmental protection are discussed on a theoretical basis, as well as in practice through international implemented projects. It is suggested that environmental protection could be attained through landscape architecture projects within the context of an interdisciplinary and systemic approach, which seems capable of confronting the high degree of complexity of any landscape project, either rural or urban. Keywords: Landscape architecture, landscape ecology, protection, ecosystem, planning strategy, time.