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Response to Reading Chapter 1
Spontaneous Urban Vegetation: Reflection of Change in a Globalized World Peter Del Tredici After reading Spontaneous vegetation, my perspective of invasive species and their role in the urban environment has changed drastically. Naively I felt invasive species should be removed at all cost and could alter the entire ecosystem. However, as our environment and climate changes so must our “natural� environment. By trying to maintain a historically accurate landscape we could be sacrificing natural resources as well as energy, fighting a never ending battle, and what for? What has invasive species really done to damage our system? The truth is it has done nothing but adapt to the current conditions and thrive better than what existed earlier. We could benefit greatly from these species due to their better adapted qualities. These species need no assistance, unlike the species we are so desperately trying to preserve. It is hypocritical of us as humans to preserve these species we believe to be native to the area because they weren’t the original species either. The ecology and natural landscape has been fluctuating constantly even without human intervention. This new era has become drier and more polluted, unless those conditions are going to change drastically soon then there will be no point trying to preserve the landscape of our past. The past conditions may have been suitable for those species, however, things have changed and these species need to adapt in order to survive. If they are unable to they will be replaced by a much better suited species, which is the way of nature and how the global system works.
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Response to Reading Chapter 1
In the urban landscape, one where green space and resources are sparse, there is a need for species that can handle the intensity of a largely populated area. There are species that can and have dealt with the conditions of the urban fabric. However, they are the result of a space being left to its own devices, adopting the appearance of an abandoned lot or ill-maintained area. These species get a bad name because they thrive in areas of abandonment and are thusly associated with it. Using these species in an intelligent way is key to their success in areas other than abandoned lots and between cracks. They should be incorporated into the populated open areas and fill in spaces such as medians, parks, and bordering areas. The key is to design the spaces along with these plants. As long as the space has an intent and appears to be visited instead of abandoned it can be successful. The task for the future is no longer about how to eliminate these plants, but rather how to use them in a way that increases their ecological, social, and aesthetic values. It would also be a much more sustainable strategy than attempting to restore the ecosystems of the past, before the existence of the cities. These species are stress tolerant and take little to no maintenance, ideal for an urban system where resources are limited and vegetation has little space. Overall, vegetation has a different role in cities and urban environments when compared to other areas. We must take advantage of these species and make room for adjustment in how we look at landscape and the natural in the urban fabric.
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Response to Reading Chapter 2
Landscape Infrastructure: Urbanism Beyond Engineering Pierre Belanger This book discusses the different perspectives of design, looking at it through the lens of other design fields. Therefore, after discussing the many branches of design, the author begins to question the segmented way of design and encourages the blending of the fields. He also discusses the result of some of these projects and how, due to a lack of double checking, disasters and infrastructural failures occur. For example rolling blackouts, levee breaks, hurricanes, bridge collapses, power outages, and oil spills have all risen in the past three decades. The author, Pierre Belanger, states that these incidences are because of outmoded patterns of land development upheld by the sprawl of standardization, Euclidean land use zoning, and uncoordinated, reactionary planning. He suggests that designers need to rethink the current models of city building and adopt contemporary pattern of spatial distribution that adapt to the current conditions and resources. Design needs to bridge the gap between economy and ecology, this reading discusses the future of infrastructure and how it works within the economy of the world wide systems. Looking at the city as a system of segmentation and lack of flowing processes, you see the dilemma in the future for infrastructure. It is a symbol of the past that will be whipped out by the future systems if we don’t take advantage of them and use them within our designs. The ecological systems we adopt could benefit the urban landscape and prevent future disasters and failures in terms of infrastructure.
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Response to Reading Chapter 2
With the help of landscape architects, who understand the ecological more than most, they can incorporate the ecological ideas within the infrastructure of their colleagues from other fields. Revolutionizing the past typologies into ones that are beneficial to both. It is a new hybrid style of design, incorporating the ecological benefits along with the urban necessities. This will allow people a better understanding of the conditions they may have been blind to in the past. It will also open their eyes to the truth of the current situation we are in, one that will change how things are designed and influenced. The incorporation of the natural processes in the urban fabric is a revolutionary idea that could be beneficial to more than the people that are part of the urban system. It will benefit the natural surroundings, allowing a blending and more connected space, one that had been cut off by a mound of concrete. Incorporation of the ecological will create access and connection to the ecologies that had been filed away and organized into green spaces, keeping it in areas specifically for that. With a more systematic and widespread approach, these green spaces can stretch out and become incorporated in the concrete forms. Overall, Belanger states that landscape is infrastructure’s most flexible strategy. If we don’t pay attention and don’t take advantage of it by merging the urban networks with current ecologies, we will be designed by them, pushed by natural disasters and ecological systems. A system overtaking one that refuses to accept it’s important and significance.
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Response to Reading Chapter 3
Urban Connectors: Integrating Informal Communities David Gouverneur and Oscar Grauer Urban areas that are informal, in other words slums, are more likely to be affected my natural disasters. They are typically near flood plains, steep slopes, riverbanks, or geologically unstable areas. These locations are chosen because they are close to jobs, transportation, amenities, and services. Nature is predictable and will keep reoccurring unless we take the ecological conditions into consideration when designing all urban areas, especially the most at risk areas. The author suggests that these at risks areas can improve dramatically if we change the way we treat them and see them. Similar to ruderal vegetation. Simply by referring to them as something other than slums or other negative connotations as well as communicating with the community on their needs. Incorporating solutions to the urban problems of the area will dramatically change the way of life in these communities. By adding deign to an abandoned landscape, even just a little, you can change the way it is seen and how it works. The author also suggest that the designs of these settlements should be influenced by the patterns of current development, the informal patterns of the way of life in the community. This contemporary pattern would benefit the community more than a design that follows previous styles and pattern because it is unique to the region and the areas unique characteristics. It is an adaptation of the community and its ecological processes.
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Response to Reading Chapter 3
A strong design aspect of these communities are the connections between the urban spaces. There are many types and involve the public realm. The use of public space is successful in bring people together, people of all classes, races, and ages. It can encourage a type of communication which is typically segmented in the typical urban forms. By incorporating another layer of connection, one that overlaps the urban typologies with a natural component, a new kind of relationship will emerge. A relationship with the natural environment which will create a more symbiotic and united fabric. The experiences and perspectives of this new city will educate people of the way our future is moving toward, one where our resources and relationship with the wild environment has become closer than we expected. We as humans have tried to keep it separated, resulting in the disassembling of ecosystems and natural systems. Urban environments have blocked wild wanderings, migrations, and layers that have become segmented. If our urban development’s take this into account when designing we can live in a world that benefits more than humanity. We can learn so much from these ecosystems and have a much more beneficial sustainable relationship. Overall, these urban connections between the public spaces and ecosystems would benefit our future designs. It will be more educated and sustainable. It will also be more successful socially, ecologically, and economically. We can design with disasters, species, and communities in mind. Designs should look to the conditions of the environment for inspiration and reference. This will allow the spaces to take advantage of the systems within the urban areas as well as what moves through them.
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Response to Wandering Chapter 1
Wandering #1 San Diego Zoo Monkey see, monkey do I can see as if I was you In the tree tops I will journey Through a world not known my many I can climb and I can hear The sounds of a rainforests soul You take me higher You take me lower I am seeing things through your eyes What once was lost Is now found The two have come together Past and future Old and new Our world has changed And so have you We see less than before But without the feeling of loss How can we not feel? How can we not cry? A history of extinction A history of change Is this new? Is this old? It is what it is
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Response to Wandering Chapter 1
A world of heat In an icy terrain A melting home A sinking feeling Unable to move Unable to roam A rumble A hunger A crack An ecosystem lost An ecosystem melting The snowy tundra A new beach I take a walk into a world unknown A new experience A new life I wander into a world of life Full of sounds Full of movement So much depth A world of experience beyond a screen A window into a different life A simple life of survival A life we can see A life we can appreciate Hidden beauty in the simple life A wild beauty In our lives we pass by the wild We pass the world by We focus on ourselves And miss opportunities of experience If we use the wild perspective We can gain a new perspective A new life A wild life
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Response to Wandering Chapter 2
Wandering #2 Chaco Canyon A civilization connected to the sky Following the moon and stars A calendar of connections, guiding the people A story of travel A story of collection A story of home Constantly building Constantly growing A home to many A place of trade A place of beyond A connection to nature A piece of the world A long path A high climb A rocky terrain A sea of grass I see a horizon I can see A never ending field A need to travel A need to discover A deep history and yet A constant flux and continuance A path most traveled Not traveled enough A deeper meaning A better experience Leaving behind the comfort Adopting the new Embracing the risk of the unknown
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Response to Wandering Chapter 2
A sharp edge A falling rock A deep crack A calm pool A bathing snake A small path Writing on the wall A story of the past A selfish conquest A destruction of artifacts Missing pieces Assumptions A quest for gold A quest for truth Conflicting goals A life of coexistence An abundant landscape A flowing river A path of travel Of mystery Of communication Of symbolism Of the unknown A visitor arrives A visitor sees A visitor thinks A visitor believes A visitor questions A visitor discovers A visitor is in awe
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Response to Wandering Chapter 2
A place of abundance A place of culture A place of wealth A place of resources A place of hard work A place of trade A place of significance A place of history An empty place
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Response to Listening Chapter 1
Michael R.Van Gessel Invisible work Transparent lines between design and place Hold back Don’t overdesign Let the beauty of place speak for itself Otherwise ego will take its place Time and process are key Anxious there is no variety Juxtaposition of the male To the form of the female Think for people just incase Understand how they use space Incorporate the uses of nature Using ground is mature Landscape architecture is the creation of environments Using the minimum Resulting in the maximum We intervene But nature takes over We do not overcome We allow it to intertwine A good transformation Old and new A creation of man An intervention of nature
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Response to Listening Chapter 1
Naturalistic versus nature Incorporate into the urban fabric Make it dark To keep them in Use the light As a beacon Take the drawbacks As inspiration Make it positive From the restriction Take a building Made of stucco Keep it simple Remove a layer Open up a new perspective See things in a different way A stucco building without stucco What does it become? Can you see it? What is it? Start a conversation A simple method A strong response An urge to shape nature We are not alone An ant builds a hill A beaver damns a river A bird assembles a nest Landscape architects shape the living The human urge is our profession
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Response to Listening Chapter 1
Approach design by cleaning up Empty out and create quiet Long for balance A combination of contrast The sturdy versus the fragile The informal versus formal The sturdy versus fragile It’s in the details
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Response to Listening Chapter 2
Enrique Norton : Ten Arquitectos How can democracy exist without public space? It must be occupied A permeable space Where backgrounds come together A lot of work A lot of conflicts coming together Solved with design Modernity An important aspect of our future The relationship between architecture and objects Within a city of objects How will it stand out? Will be bizarre? Will it be weird? Is this the only way A bright mark on a dull land A deformed face within many The future is weird The future of the strange Is it right? Should it continue? Is weirder better? Architecture A landscape An infrastructure A public space A huge responsibility To consider the environment The community The politics An accommodation of uses To recognize and reinvent
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Response to Listening Chapter 2
Adaptation Becoming topographies An emerging landscape Sprouting from urbanity A sustainable cycle Becoming a sequence of spaces The organization of geometry An accumulation of meaning Bridging connections Relationships between people and the environment Making the city react Tipping the scale Beginning the race Knocking over the first domino Its affect, a positive reaction Mending the fragmented city A chain reaction to one another A series of living spaces Points of convergence Creating a new city
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Response to Listening Chapter 2
A reinterpretation of modernity Reconcile the structural with the social An adaptable language of design More than a replicated and repeated model A city of complexity Layers of meaning More than a unique shape Using interaction Accumulating the senses Having meaning A blending of culture A mixture of movements A chain of spaces A city of diversity The true urban form A mesh A patchwork quilt The urban fabric
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Response to Language 1
Ruderal Vegetation: growing where the natural vegetational cover has been disturbed by humans <ruderal weeds of old fields and roadsides> (Merriam Webster) Ruderal vegetation is very common in the urban environment and can be a beneficial tool for future urban designs. This is significant when describing the types of vegetation the city can be using, taking advantage of the adapted species. This is an easily overlooked aspect of the city environment that could be where our future designs are headed. Due to the lack of resources and pollution, this term and species will be much more discussed and more common as design adapts to the current conditions. Urban habitats can take advantage of ruderal environments, using them to sustainably allow a coexistence between the natural and human systems.
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Response to Language 2
Littoral - of, relating to, or situated or growing on or near a shore especially of the sea (Merriam Webster) When dealing with a coastal landscape this term would be very useful. Considering that many coastal areas have to adapt to current conditions including pollution. Current sites, like Surfridge in Los Angeles, needs to take these situation into consideration due to their connection to the coast. This is a current site that needs a design intervention as well as a coastal influence. Many designs are affected by littoral influences. The shore has many natural ecologies that should be considered when designing along or near a coast. In these design situations this term would be used and beneficial in supporting your design goals.
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Response to Language 3
Fractal - a geometrical or physical structure having an irregular or fragmented shape at all scales of measurement between a greatest and smallest scale such that certain mathematical or physical properties of the structure, as the perimeter of a curve or the flow rate in a porous medium, behave as if the dimensions of the structure (fractal dimensions) are greater than the spatial dimensions. (dictionary.com) This term can be used to describe designs and their characteristics. It can also describe the endlessly repeating patterns across scales. Patterns are consistently used in design and can refer to many different types and styles. Fractals can relate to many scales, describing a buildings function, a landscapes systems, a cities programs. It is a versatile word that describes the geometric formula of whatever it is referring to. Fractals can also describe the separation or segmentation of designs. It is a term that can emphasize the patterns of a surface or of a design. Ecologically this can act as a tool to show an intertwining and pattern that flows with the current system.
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Response to Language 4
Posit - to suggest (something, such as an idea or theory) especially in order to start a discussion (Merriam Webster) This term is important for the future where new ideas are being discussed every day. We are facing a future of the unknown. There is so much that can happen we need to discuss alternatives and solutions that need to be discussed. Ideas like including more habitats and natural forms within the urban fabric as well as the role plants play in urbanity. With resources and pollution at the levels there are at, we need to have discussion about theories for solving our current problems. Without discussion nothing will change and it will only get worse. Creative alternatives need to be brought up to make a smarter design that takes aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability to create a new style of design.
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Response to Language 5
Neophyte â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a person who has just started learning or doing something (Merriam Webster) In the field of landscape architecture, t is hard to begin the field knowing everything or even anything. It is a discipline that is not talked about much. It is becoming much larger than it has in the past but as beginners in the field we will face being neophytes in a lot of things. We will be introduced to many topics, issues, and tasks as we gain experience and try new things. However, this term will always be relevant as long as you go out of your comfort zone and experience as much as you can, expanding your knowledge.
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Response to Language 6
Disaggregate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to separate into component parts (Merriam Webster) This is common in diagraming design concept, like a kit of parts. This allows people to understand the design more and get a better idea of the goals. it helps breakdown the key parts of a project and is useful when presenting to those who may not understand design as well as those within the design fields. Diagrammatically it allows you to see connections much better as well as go more into detail within those parts. Overall, the components being separate allow the onlooker and designer better understand how they overlap and play their part within the bigger picture while seeing the details.
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Response to Language 7
Geospatial- of or relating to the relative position of things on the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface (dictionary.com) This term, in reference to landscape architecture, is important to consider when designing. The way a design relates to the earth and the ecological processes are important and will create certain experiences. The way a form is positioned within the earth can be affected by solar exposure, wind condition, ground conditions, and many more. Each of these systems can be taken advantage of and make the design successful. However, if ignored, these systems can cause the design to fail or be unsuccessful. Overall the way a design interacts with the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface is important to analyze and understand before going too far in the design. It is one of the first things to look into during the design process.
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Response to Language 8
Ruderal Vegetation: growing where the natural Ubiquitous: existing or being everywhere at the vegetational same time cover has been disturbed by humans <ruderal weeds of old (Merriam Webster) fields and roadsides> (Merriam Webster) This can be used to describe many layers of a design. It Ruderal vegetation is very commonofinathe urban environment can be used to describe conditions site, like the urban and can beItacan beneficial for to future urbanthe designs. This is conditions. even betool used describe existence significant when describing the types of vegetation the city of climate conditions, natural systems, and pollution. These can be using, taking advantage of the adapted species. This systems are permanent conditions that are everywhere and is an be easily overlooked aspect of the city The environment thatof must considered for intelligent design. overlapping could be where our future designs are headed. Due to these layers will make a design that takes advantage ofthe the lack of resources and pollution, this term and species will ubiquitous and is influenced by it. This will create solutionsbe that much more discussed more design adapts are beneficial on many and levels. Oncommon a global, as urban, ecological, to the current conditions. habitats can take advantage economical levels. OverallUrban a useful term to describe the of ruderal environments, using them to sustainably allow a necessary conditions to consider in design. coexistence between the natural and human systems.
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Response to Language 9
Eschew: : to avoid (something) especially because you do not think it is right, proper, etc (Merriam Webster) This term can refer to sensitive topics that may be involved in the design process. Certain things such as politics, religion, and certain cultural aspects can be sensitive and hard to discuss in design. Many designers tend to shy away from tough topics in their design, mainly public work, because it effects such a wide variety of people with a wide array of different cultures, religions, and political views. The design needs to shy away from these topics in order to prevent people from feeling singled out or avoided. It needs to maintain a balance and be poised for a wide variety of activities versus being designed specifically for such a specific topic. This is typical in public design work but can delve deeper in the tougher topics if it is private or a commissioned work.
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Response to Language 10
Ruderal Vegetation: growing where natural vegetational Archaeophyte - Any plant which wasthe introduced to an area by cover has been disturbed by humans <ruderal weeds of old humans (arrived naturally, but from an area in which it was fields and (Merriam Webster) present as roadsides> a human introduction) and became naturalised before 1500 CE (but especially in prehistoric times). Ruderal vegetation is very common in the urban environment (www.yourdictionary.com) and can be a beneficial tool for future urban designs. This is significant describing the types of invasive vegetation the city This term iswhen useful in discussions about species can be using, taking advantage of the adapted species. versus the natives. This is a popular discussion that has This is an easily overlooked aspect climate of the city environment that It become important considering change and pollution. could be where our future designs are headed. Due to the also has to account for baselines, which is the time in history lack of resources and pollution, this term and species will be which is used as a reference when determining a plants origin much more discussed and more common as design adapts and ability to be considered a native. This argument refers to natural the current conditions. Urban habitats take advantage to processes of fluctuation and thecan constant change of ruderal environments, using them to sustainably of plant material versus the impact of humanity. Thisallow term a coexistence between the natural and human systems. is exemplifies that most plants in our landscape has been introduced by humans in the past and arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t true natives to begin with. This brings up
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