F E AT U R E By Paul Reynolds
The evolving relationship between landscape practice and urban design 1
The relationship between urban design and landscape practice has always been close. LI member and Honorary Secretary of the Urban Design Group Paul Reynolds marks two birthdays.
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n April 1979 the ‘Institute of Landscape Architects’ was putting the finishing touches to its plans for celebrating its 50th Anniversary. At the same time, a diverse group of professionals from a range of built environment professions, including Landscape Architects, were also preparing for their General Meeting at the Polytechnic of Central London. They had met initially in November 1978 at the RIBA on Portland Place, under the title of Architects in Planning. However, it was quickly recognised that this title did not embrace the wide spectrum of professionals that were involved in the creation of our towns and cities, many of whom were not architects at all. As a result, the main motion for this General Meeting of the group was to formally incorporate as an organisation to be known as the Urban Design Group – a forum for 48
Architects, Landscape Architects and Designers in Planning. It was made clear in the invitation to this first meeting that the intention was not “… to usurp the various professional institutions already concerned with our environment and quality of life (notably the RIBA, RTPI, ILA and ACE), but rather to help close the gaps and take up a sensible, strong, helpful position in the ‘middle ground’ between them.”. This still holds true of the UDG mission today as a membership organisation with more than a thousand members from all professional backgrounds. What has become clear over the past 40 years is that our urban environment is shaped by an even wider group of professionals than just architects, town planners and landscape architects, with, arguably, professionals such as highway engineers having an impact which is often even more significant.
Throughout this time the Urban Design Group has maintained its original ethos by welcoming all into the fold no matter what their professional background. The only requirement for membership is an interest in our towns and cities and how to make them better. However, the relationship between Landscape Architecture and Urban Design has always been particularly closely entwined. Thomas Mawson, the first president of the Institute of Landscape Architects back in 1929,
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Urban design, like landscape architecture, operates at all scales from individual streets and spaces to large scale masterplans and development strategies.
