Basics Landscape Architecture 02: Ecological Design

Nancy Rottle has focused most of her professional and academic life on the pedagogy and practice of ecological design and planning in landscape architecture. In addition to over a decade of teaching ecological and sustainable design courses, she founded and directs the Green Futures Lab in the University of Washington's College of Built Environments.

Basics Landscape Architecture 02: Ecological Design provides an overview of ecological design and planning for landscape architects. It explores the concepts and themes important to the contemporary practice of ecological design and planning in a highly accessible and richly illustrated format. Focusing primarily on urban environments, this book examines the relationships between ecological design theory and design methods. It describes and illustrates the basic structures and functions of natural and human systems through landscape ecology principles and the dynamics of landscape processes.

Includes case studies and exercises that can be used by both students and educators

Introduction. What is ecological design?: Defining ecological design; Why urban?; An emerging practice; Integrating science and design; Olympic Sculpture Park. Systems: The structure and function of systems; Systems hierarchy; Types of systems; Green infrastructure systems; Ecosystem health and diversity; Waitakere and Twin Streams. Landscape dynamics: The form and function of landscapes; Dynamic equilibrium and resilience; Resilient + sustainable + regenerative design; Port Lands Estuary. Project processes: Design processes for ecosystem health; Implementing a framework; Civic participation; Stewardship; Freshkills Park. Operations: Protect/Conserve/Reuse; Scaffold/Structure/Initiate; Catalyse/Seed/Regenerate; Stratify/Layer/Strengthen; Regulate/Contain/Collect; Sieve/Filter/Cleanse; Metabolize/Digest/Remediate; Mimic/Copy/Imitate; Synthesize/Connect/Integrate; Reveal/Immerse/Teach. Places: Region and watershed; Netherlands Green Heart; Community; Portland, Oregon; Neighbourhoods; High Point; Streets; SW Montgomery Street; Parks and trails; Barry Curtis Park; Site/Parcel; 'Green Factor' programmes. Conclusion. Taking it further. Bibliography. Contacts and useful resources. Index. Acknowledgements and picture credits. Working with ethics.