CULTURAL SYSTEMS IN DESIGN

Rationale

Cultural Systems in Design refers to a design approach that can produce a sense of identity and belonging through personal and cultural lenses, as well as through the lens of justice. Landscape is more than what we see. Successful designs are interpreted with our minds to attribute intangible values and memories to a certain location.

“Chinese gates at Seattle International District. This is an example of how cultural architectonic elements might inspire a sense of identity for many people, depending on their background. “

Main Take Aways

The readings for this topic explores landscape meaning through personal and cultural lenses, as well as through the lens of justice.

People are always looking for a sense of identity and belonging. We find connections in landscape and place and we find identity with different aspects of design. Design in landscapes can support dignity and wellbeing of communities. We ascribe personal and cultural values to landscapes for intangible, or spiritual reasons. 1

Significant places or landscapes reflects on people’s everyday lives, their ideologies, and sequence or rhythm of life over time. This landscapes speak to people, tell stories about their community, relate events and places through history, and offers a sense of continuity and time.2

1 Taylor, Ken. 2008. “Landscape and Memory: cultural landscapes, intangible values and some thoughts on Asia.” 16th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Finding the spirit of place – between the tangible and the intangible’ 29 Sept-4 Oct 2008, Quebec, Canada. Accessed 9 November 2015 at: http://openarchive.icomos.org/139/ Press, pp 4-9.

There are several aspects that will guide a landscape architect to be more decisive and effective in achieving justice through their work. By viewing what we do as having both moral and value-laden dimensions, a democratic approach that engages and empowers people may provide cultural richness to landscape that establishes context, supports moral qualities and values, and calls us to be agents of democracy.3

2 Ibid.

3 Chang, Hyejung. posted September 3, 2015. “Justice Seeking Design” The Field. ASLA online blog. Accessed 9 November 2015 at: http://thefield.asla.org/2015/09/03/aguide-to-justice-seeking-design/

Reflection

This reflection focused on each of us thinking about a place that gives us a sense of identity and creating a guideline for designing landscapes with cultural identity.

Designing landscapes with cultural identity requires community engagement as early as possible. Community members know the spaces within their neighborhood the best, so drawing upon their existing knowledge could prove vital to the acceptance of a newly designed space. It is also important to consider future needs of the space.

Guidelines for designing landscapes with cultural identity include:

- Public Accesibility

- Participation

- Education / Interpretation

- Care / Maintenance

“The people’s park in Nørrebro, the most diverse district in Copenhagen, shows a clear link between the space, the place, and the people. Mostly populated by the homeless population, the park lies nestled between two quieter streets and two sets of 4-5 story buildings. When I think of the people’s park I see members of the homeless community spending time there, makeshift tents have been setup underneath tree canopies while metal barrels have been converted into fire pits. The homeless depend on this space to house them and as a result have morphed the park into something that meets their needs and matches their sensibilities.”

James Wohlers

Cultural identity can be reached in different ways, in this case, the park addresses the needs of a vulnerable community, turning this park into a unique place where they can access and enjoy their freedom.

“Getting to know the community members, who they are, what they need and what is it that they envision for the future of their neighborhood is an important step to design meaningful landscapes.”

Relationship To Studio Site

The Licton Springs - Haller Lake Neighborhood is named after existing natural features, but these identity givers are largely hidden. The neighborhood has community groups, who we value learning from, to work with the people from the neighborhood that we choose as our site for the project proposals. Public participation is a way of practicing democracy on landscape projects. We want to address shared problems and common interests that will lead to relevant designs.