The Intersection of Art and Survival

Why Landscape Architecture is critical in the fight against climate change

By: Yazan K. Mahadin Jordanian Architect and Landscape Architect

In 2014, after winning a couple of awards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA), I started a lecture series titled “Landscape Architecture: Art for Survival,” which aims to enlighten the public about the vital role of landscape architecture in tackling global environmental issues. Through my lectures, I emphasize how landscape architecture can serve as both an art and science to create outdoor areas that not only offer social and economic advantages but also aid in combating climate change and achieving global sustainable objectives.

My team and I are committed to sustainability in all our projects. Our designs prioritize the use of native plants, which are better suited to local conditions, require less water, and are easier to maintain than non-native varieties. We also utilize water storm management methods to minimize the impact of storms on the environment and infrastructure. Moreover, we integrate solar energy into our designs, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources while promoting the use of renewable energy.

As climate change and population growth increasingly threaten our planet, the need for sustainable outdoor spaces becomes more pressing. Landscape architects like me play an essential part in designing these spaces, and our work is crucial to building a more sustainable and resilient future.

I was lucky to be part of the design team and one of the master planners for the Baptism Development Zone Masterplan project, which was launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II in December 2022 on the banks of the Jordan River, where Jesus Christ was baptized. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the most religious site in Jordan and attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and visitors every year. The goal of the project is to create a world-class destination for religious tourism while also preserving the natural beauty of the area and promoting sustainable development.

The Baptism Development Zone (Bethany Beyond the Jordan) is divided into two major sites: the environmentally dense vegetation ground cover overlooking the Jordan Valley, where the baptism site is located, and the Baptism Development Zone, almost around the visitor center area. The land limits are from the major access road almost to the conference center, and the total area of the Baptism Development Zone in the buffer zone is approximately 1374 dunums of land.

Our vision and approach for the Baptism Development Zone project is centered around the protection and restoration of the natural environment. This includes the conservation of the wilderness, restoration of habitat, and revegetation efforts. Additionally, we implement adaptive management practices that support climate resilience. We also prioritize the respect and preservation of the area’s cultural and natural heritage, including geological features and postsettlement cultural heritage.

The site is designed to be a must-visit recreational destination that provides innovative opportunities for visitors to engage with the wilderness. This includes the development of trails of varying lengths and easy access points, parking, pathways, and facilities that accommodate people of all ages. Education and research are also a key focus, with designated areas for research and innovative centers. Schools, universities, and other research institutions are encouraged to visit the site to increase their knowledge.

We believe that ongoing community involvement is also crucial and we have incorporated this into our plan by designing iconic spaces and places that merge all people of different communities, dominations, and cultures. Ecotourism is also a key aspect of our vision, as it supports small-scale commercial activities that enhance people’s connection with the natural environment and wilderness. We have designed large-scale infrastructure and landscape modifications to accommodate these activities and events that add value to local businesses and the wider community. Additionally, we have considered sites for activities that make a positive economic contribution to the park.

The project aims to develop the site into a global destination for a holistic tourism experience that encompasses the religious, historical, wellness, and recreational functions in one area within the wilderness of the site. The new Foundation for the Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site owns the land, manages the development zone, and is entrusted with the implementation of the master plan and fulfilling the project’s vision and objectives. The Agricultural Farms Zone includes a parking area for 750 cars, staff units, civil defense units, a water treatment plant, and service buildings. In the middle of this zone, there is a node that contains two farm-to-table restaurants, local shops for the surrounding community, green spaces, as well as soft and hard landscape elements. The Pilgrimage Village zone is located in the western part of the site and includes an information center, administration museum, amphitheater, boutique hotel (60 keys), master hotel (300 keys), shops, cafes, and restaurants all of which are connected through different plazas.