Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes special report study entitled: Urban climate improvement through soft landscape.

The last two decades have been characterised by a debate of increasing urgency regarding pedagogical issues in landscape architecture, such as the nature of the skills of graduates entering the profession. The generic workplace is also undergoing changes. Employers are showing a preference for non-technical skills such as teamwork, communication and self-skills. With this as background, the following factors serve as motivation for the study; the increasingly unpredictable changes in and broad nature of landscape architecture, the shift in the skills required of graduates entering the generic workplace, and the changing South African educational landscape. The dissertation thus seeks to identify the major factors motivating a need to shift the outcomes emphasis in the landscape architecture degree programmes in South Africa from technical (subject specific) to non-technical skills and to identify a framework through which to tangibly incorporate non-technical skills landscape architecture curriculum. The shift in the skills required of the generic workplace is stated together with its effect on higher education. The breadth and future of the profession are discussed to determine the relationship between the profession and non-technical skills. It was found that there is a need to shift the skills required of landscape architecture graduates from technical to non-technical skills. The degree to which landscape architecture programmes in South Africa are currently addressing non-technical skills is surveyed and it is concluded that these programmes do not tangibly address non-technical skills. The dissertation proposes a curriculum design process and a framework for facilitating learning which ensures that non-technical skills are tangibly incorporated into landscape architecture curricula. <-p> The dissertation concludes that landscape architecture curriculum in South Africa need to shift the skills emphasis from technical to non-technical skills if they are to remain relevant to the educational and workplace environments in which they operate. / Dissertation (Master of Architecture)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Architecture / unrestricted

This study demonstrates the role recreational amenities play in contributing to the brand identity and sense of place in Utah master planned communities (MPCs). These MPCs are designed to enable residents to live, work, and play within close proximity within a styled built environment. While the built environment is often branded with a particular identity, these identities resonates with other attributes of the community, including recreation amenities. The study focused on MPCs along the Wasatch Front in Utah, since Utah’s population, along the Wasatch Front, is expected to double by 2050 (Envision Utah, n.d.). Many of the developments being built in the next few years will likely be MPCs (Costley, 2006). Understanding MPCs and the recreation amenities in the communities will help to shape the future developments along the Wasatch Front. This study evaluates the recreation amenities in four Utah MPC using a comparative case study method. The case study research was completed through the use of a review of literature, content analysis of the communities’ online presence, the observation of the built environment and focused interviews with community residents, city planners, and developers. This process demonstrated the role recreation was playing in creating a brand identity for the selected MPCs and contributing to the brand identity and sense of place within MPCs. Utah is posed to grow rapidly in the next 35 years and development will be driven by future MPCs. Utah has a self-identified brand of recreation, which developers are using to enhance the community brand identity of their MPCs. Developers include particular recreational amenities and programs in MPCs in Utah because of how they contribute to communities’ sense of place. Understanding how recreation enhances the brand identity of MPCs can be applied to future developments and help developers strengthen community sense of place through the use of recreation branding. Overall it was found that recreation enhances the brand identity of MPCs within Utah’s Wasatch Front. Whether it was adding value for the developers and residents or if it was by creating a sense of community; recreation was enhancing the brand identity of these MPCs.

The design process is important to all landscape architects. It helps generate ideas to solve problems in an efficient amount of time and insure that all stages of a project are completed. Generally, a design process includes project acquisition, inventory and site analysis, conflicts identification, public involvement, draft products, and final presentation. Among these elements, public involvement has been recognized as one of the most important elements in the landscape design process. It not only helps professionals get projects done smoothly, but it also helps with long-term client retention. Traditional two-dimensional communication methods using renderings, design plans, and maps have not been fully successful in their ability to engage and sufficiently inform clients and stakeholders. While professional planners are able to rely on their experience to help them visualize proposed landscapes, the average client is often overwhelmed by the relatively complex and abstract information, and unable to translate this information into landscape visions. Developments in the field of 3D graphics have dramatically extended possibilities to overcome this barrier by providing a tool that produces designs that are easy to comprehend and helps clients better visualize the end product that the designer has put forth. Some people argue that the high investment cost of 3D software such as ArcGIS, 3Dmax, etc., and its time-consuming process to master, is too great an obstacle for most designers and firms to use the software in their work with the average client or stakeholder. However, little research has been done to investigate the extent to which landscape architects have adopted the 3D software. We know even less about their opinions on the suitability of existing 3D software packages to meet their professional needs. A nationwide survey about current use and future demand for 3D simulation software within the landscape profession was conducted for this thesis. Comprehensive online surveys were sent to two groups: (1) landscape architecture firms and freelance landscape architects; and (2) institutions with landscape architecture programs. In total, 3,434 firms and freelance architects were identified based on data from the American Society of Landscape Architecture. Names and contact information of ninety-one faculty members from institutions with landscape architecture programs were found on the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture website. The opportunities and challenges of 3D visualization technology and its potential applications in landscape and environmental planning have been examined based on the findings from survey results. The results are relevant to the future improvement and innovation of 3D visualization software in the landscape architecture profession and can assist landscape architecture educators with future curriculum development.

This research is focused on analyzing landscape architecture education of accredited bachelor programs in the U.S. The primary intent was to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of landscape architecture education and the direction in which it is heading. This was conducted through an evaluation of each landscape architecture program’s course offerings. The objectives were to explore the degree of coherence and dispersion of course requirements among programs, compare similarities and differences and identify current patterns, trends, strengths and emphases of the programs. Then design course descriptions were analyzed for identification of word families and cluster networks to determine the possible connections to other content areas. The benefit of this research is in providing a valuable benchmark and reference for which landscape architecture programs can use in revising and building curricula.

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how community gardens can catalyze positive change in an urban environment, to determine and catalog the impacts, and to learn about their importance to small-scale agricultural production. The study surveyed neighbors of the two umbrella organizations community gardens, The Nuestras Raices of Holyoke and Growing the Community of Springfield, who strive to ensure that local families gets enough food to feed their families on a daily basis.

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The profession of landscape architecture is expected to experience expanded growth in the future while at the same time student enrollment in landscape architecture programs is thought to be declining. This dilemma could lead to a decline in services and growth due to a lack of qualified landscape architects available to meet demands. This study's research objectives include providing baseline information regarding current landscape architecture students decision to major in landscape architecture and to describe influential factors and reasons associated with the decision to major in landscape architecture. The design of this study is descriptive with data obtained from a questionnaire. The questionnaire design was based on a review of literature, faculty consultation, and pretesting. The questionnaire was distributed with the help of contact instructors who volunteered to aid in this study. The questionnaire was given to students and collected by the contact instructors before being mailed back by mail to the researcher. Several statistical tests have been used to evaluate the data. This study will present the findings from the data analysis and outline implications for students, landscape architecture programs, and the profession. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / William P. Winslow III / Sports venues require large amounts of parking to facilitate the number of spectators attending an event. The parking, mostly surface, is underutilized when compared to traditional parking lots accommodating daily use. Large parking surfaces alter the natural hydrological cycle by generating large volumes of runoff. Over time, pollutants build up on a parking surface and are discharged into a stormwater drainage system during a rain event. The intent of the research is to investigate the use of Best Management Practices that ultimately reduce the pollutant loads created by stormwater runoff while creating amenities for spectators that could potentially generate revenue. The focus of the study will be on a 400 acre sports venue in Kansas City, Missouri, the Truman Sports Complex. To understand retrofitting stormwater management practices, one must understand how large parking lots are constructed and understand successful examples. Through the use of archival research, interviews and analysis of two parking lot case studies, Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington and US Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois, the research analyzed how retrofitting design solutions are utilized to reduce stormwater pollutant loads. Each case study documents a distinct type of retrofitting strategy; bioswales at Northgate Mall and permeable concrete pavers at US Cellular Field. Using the Design Point Method developed by the Center for Watershed Protection, the research analyzes each case study retrofit design solution - conceptually and post construction. The Design Point Method allowed the research to measure the success of retrofitting strategies and informed the research to as to how the strategies could be implemented at the Truman Sports Complex. The conclusion of the project is a retrofit design solution of a surface parking lot at the Truman Sports Complex. Using the Design Point Method as an analysis tool, the final study provides compelling evidence that retrofitting existing surface parking lots at sports venues using Best Management Practices provides a sustainable solution to reducing pollutant loads while creating the potential for enhancing the tailgate experience for the sports fan.