Landscape Urbanism is a contemporary urban design approach that views landscape as the primary organizing element of city planning, rather than traditional architectural forms. This theoretical framework emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the limitations of conventional urban planning, emphasizing the integration of natural systems with built environments to create more sustainable and adaptable urban spaces. The discipline combines ecological principles with urban design strategies, recognizing that cities are dynamic, living systems that require flexible and responsive planning approaches. Landscape Urbanism practitioners work across multiple scales, from individual sites to entire metropolitan regions, incorporating natural processes such as water management, biodiversity, and climate adaptation into their design solutions. This methodology particularly excels in addressing post-industrial sites, urban voids, and degraded environments, transforming them into multifunctional spaces that serve both ecological and social needs. The approach emphasizes the importance of temporal changes, acknowledging that urban landscapes evolve over time through natural succession and human intervention. Projects following Landscape Urbanism principles often incorporate green infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems, and adaptive reuse strategies, creating resilient urban environments that can respond to environmental challenges while supporting community needs. This design philosophy has gained significant recognition in the professional design community, including acknowledgment through prestigious competitions such as the A' Design Award, which features categories specifically dedicated to landscape and urban design innovations that prioritize environmental consciousness and sustainable development.
ecological infrastructure, urban metabolism, adaptive landscapes, environmental systems, sustainable development, green corridors
CITATION : "Daniel Johnson. 'Landscape Urbanism.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=466634 (Accessed on June 04, 2025)"
Landscape Urbanism is a contemporary urban design approach that views landscape as the primary organizing element of city development, rather than traditional architectural forms. This theoretical framework emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the limitations of conventional urban planning, emphasizing the integration of natural systems with built environments to create more sustainable and resilient cities. The practice combines ecological principles with urban design strategies, addressing complex environmental challenges while accommodating human needs and cultural values. Landscape Urbanism practitioners work across multiple scales, from individual sites to entire metropolitan regions, utilizing advanced mapping techniques, environmental analysis, and dynamic modeling to understand and respond to urban ecological processes. This methodology particularly excels in addressing post-industrial sites, urban voids, and degraded landscapes, transforming them into multifunctional spaces that support biodiversity, manage stormwater, and provide recreational opportunities. The approach has gained significant recognition in design circles, including acknowledgment through prestigious competitions such as the A' Design Award, which features dedicated categories for ecological urban planning and landscape design. The practice emphasizes the temporal aspect of urban development, recognizing that cities are not static entities but evolving ecosystems that change over time. This dynamic perspective allows for the incorporation of natural processes such as succession, hydrology, and habitat formation into urban design strategies, creating more adaptable and sustainable urban environments that can respond to climate change and shifting social needs.
ecological infrastructure, green corridor networks, urban ecosystem services, adaptive landscape systems
Landscape Urbanism is an approach to urban planning and design that recognizes the importance of the natural environment in shaping the built environment. It emphasizes the integration of landscape and urbanism to create more sustainable and livable cities. This approach recognizes the complex relationship between natural and built environments and strives to create a harmonious balance between the two. One of the key aspects of Landscape Urbanism is the emphasis on the ecological and socio-economic aspects of urbanity. This approach recognizes the importance of creating cities and towns that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also socially and economically sustainable. It aims to create spaces that are enjoyable and accessible to all, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Another important aspect of Landscape Urbanism is the integration of green infrastructure and low-impact development. This approach recognizes the importance of using natural systems to manage stormwater, reduce heat island effects, and improve air quality. It also emphasizes the importance of creating green spaces that provide habitat for wildlife and promote biodiversity. Landscape Urbanism also recognizes the role of the urban landscape in the larger context of climate change, energy efficiency, and sustainability. It aims to create cities and towns that are resilient to the impacts of climate change and that minimize their carbon footprint. This approach recognizes the importance of using renewable energy sources and reducing energy consumption to create a more sustainable urban environment. Overall, Landscape Urbanism is an approach to urban planning and design that recognizes the importance of the natural environment in shaping the built environment. It emphasizes the integration of landscape and urbanism to create more sustainable and livable cities that are enjoyable and accessible to all.
urban planning, natural environment, sustainable cities, green infrastructure, low-impact development
Landscape Urbanism is an approach to urban planning and design that integrates landscape and urbanism in order to create a more sustainable and livable environment. It focuses on the design of outdoor spaces to create a more livable, equitable and healthy urban environment. It looks at the relationship between nature and the built environment, and considers the potential of urban nature to shape the city. It also explores the role of the urban landscape in the larger context of climate change, energy efficiency and sustainability. Landscape Urbanism emphasizes the integration of green infrastructure, low impact development, and social and economic justice into the urban environment. The goal of Landscape Urbanism is to create a more equitable, resilient and livable city for all.
Green Infrastructure, Low Impact Development, Social Equity, Sustainability.
Landscape Urbanism is an approach to urban planning and design that focuses on the integration of natural and built environments. It is based on the belief that a successful city should strive to create a harmonious relationship between the natural and built environments while still promoting social and economic development. This practice emphasizes the importance of the socio-economic, ecological and cultural aspects of urbanity. It strives to create cities and towns that are spaces of beauty and pleasure for inhabitants, and it takes into account the ecological need for a resilient landscape. This approach to urban planning has become increasingly popular in recent years, as people have become more conscious of the need to create sustainable and livable cities.
Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Site Planning, Sustainable Development.
We have 216.484 Topics and 472.443 Entries and Landscape Urbanism has 5 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Landscape Urbanism today.