Knowledge Building in Landscape Architecture

The objective of this study was to develop an internet-based seminar framework applicable for landscape architecture education. This process was accompanied by various aims. The basic expectation was to keep the main characteristics of landscape architecture education also in the online format. On top of that, four further objectives were anticipated: (1) training of competences for virtual team work, (2) fostering intercultural competence, (3) creation of equal opportunities for education through internet-based open access and (4) synergy effects and learning processes across institutional boundaries. This work started with the hypothesis that these four expected advantages would compensate for additional organisational efforts caused by the online delivery of the seminars and thus lead to a sustainable integration of this new learning mode into landscape architecture curricula. This rationale was followed by a presentation of four areas of knowledge to which the seminar development was directly related (1) landscape architecture as a subject and its pedagogy, (2) general learning theories, (3) developments in the ICT sector and (4) wider societal driving forces such as global citizenship and the increase of open educational resources. The research design took the shape of a pedagogical action research cycle. This approach was constructive: The author herself is teaching international landscape architecture students so that the model could directly be applied in practice. Seven online seminars were implemented in the period from 2008 to 2013 and this experience represents the core of this study. The seminars were conducted with varying themes while its pedagogy, organisation and the technological tools remained widely identical. The research design is further based on three levels of observation: (1) the seminar design on the basis of theory and methods from the learning sciences, in particular educational constructivism, (2) the seminar evaluation and (3) the evaluation of the seminars’ long term impact. The seminar model itself basically consists of four elements: (1) the taxonomy of learning objectives, (2) ICT tools and their application and pedagogy, (3) process models and (4) the case study framework. The seminar framework was followed by the presentation of the evaluation findings. The major findings of this study can be summed up as follows: Implementing online seminars across educational and national boundaries was possible both in term of organisation and technology. In particular, a high level of cultural diversity among the seminar participants has definitively been achieved. However, there were also obvious obstacles. These were primarily competing study commitments and incompatible schedules among the students attending from different academic programmes, partly even in different time zones. Both factors had negative impact on the individual and working group performances. With respect to the technical framework it can be concluded that the majority of the participants were able to use the tools either directly without any problem or after overcoming some smaller problems. Also the seminar wiki was intensively used for completing the seminar assignments. However, too less truly collaborative text production was observed which could be improved by changing the requirements for the collaborative task. Two different process models have been applied for guiding the collaboration of the small groups and both were in general successful. However, it needs to be said that even if the students were able to follow the collaborative task and to co-construct and compare case studies, most of them were not able to synthesize the knowledge they had compiled. This means that the area of consideration often remained on the level of the case and further reflections, generalisations and critique were largely missing. This shows that the seminar model needs to find better ways for triggering knowledge building and critical reflection. It was also suggested to have a more differentiated group building strategy in future seminars. A comparison of pre- and post seminar concept maps showed that an increase of factual and conceptual knowledge on the individual level was widely recognizable. Also the evaluation of the case studies (the major seminar output) revealed that the students have undergone developments of both the factual and the conceptual knowledge domain. Also their self-assessment with respect to individual learning development showed that the highest consensus was achieved in the field of subject-specific knowledge. The participants were much more doubtful with regard to the progress of generic competences such as analysis, communication and organisation. However, 50% of the participants confirmed that they perceived individual development on all competence areas the survey had asked for. Have the additional four targets been met? Concerning the competences for working in a virtual team it can be concluded that the vast majority was able to use the internet-based tools and to work with them in a target-oriented way. However, there were obvious differences regarding the intensity and activity of participation, both because of external and personal factors. A very positive aspect is the achievement of a high cultural diversity supporting the participants’ intercultural competence. Learning from group members was obviously a success factor for the working groups. Regarding the possibilities for better accessibility of educational opportunities it became clear that a significant number of participants were not able to go abroad during their studies because of financial or personal reasons. They confirmed that the online seminar was to some extent a compensation for not having been abroad for studying. Inter-institutional learning and synergy was achieved in so far that many teachers from different countries contributed with individual lectures. However, those teachers hardly ever followed more than one session. Therefore, the learning effect remained largely within the seminar learning group. Looking back at the research design it can be said that the pedagogical action research cycle was an appropriate and valuable approach allowing for strong interaction between theory and practice. However, some more external evaluation from peers in particular regarding the participants’ products would have been valuable.

Digital Media in Landscape Architecture Design Process

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Cultural identity in landscape architecture, renovation of Managua's lakeside

This thesis examines a design approach in landscape architecture in which cultural and historical values are reinterpreted in a contemporary urban environment. The site of this project is located in Managua's lakeside area, which was destroyed by hurricane Mitch in 1998. The lakeside area has been an attraction to Managua's residents because of its beautiful views and fresh breezes. The majority of Nicaragua's population is of indigenous descent; however, Managua's urban environment is predominantly of European influence. The pre-Columbian heritage of Nicaraguans is hidden in their cultural expressions, such as the names of places and religious rituals. This project provides a new lakeside area for Managua in which cultural identity in landscape architecture is represented in the use of the site and in a rescue of Managua's residents' pride in their pre-Columbian heritage. The lakeside renovation was planned using pre-Columbian design methodology and vocabulary to create a functional and environmentally sens~velandscape.

The application of symphytosociology in landscape architecture in the Western Mediterranean

This essay addresses the application of indigenous plants in Landscape Architecture projects, based on studies carried out in the field of phytosociology and sinphytosociology. Through this knowledge, it is possible to increase and improve the use of indigenous plants in Projects, aiming at the preservation of biodiversity. Thus, to better understand the western Mediterranean territory, we present a brief biophysical characterization, in which we point out the main factors which contribute to the ground coverage’s distribution in the landscape, namely, concerning climate (oceanity, ombroclimate and thermoclimate) and substrate (geology and lithology). In view of the high level of uniqueness of the identified conditions, a synthesis of the potential main existing climatophilous woods is carried out, regarding sinphytosocialogical class/order, furthermore, pointing out, the main serial stages, their vegetation bioindicators and the ecological peculiarities of each stage (regressive or progressive). Therefore, based on the study area, we point out the vegetation bioindicator’s value as a work tool during analysis, thus allowing us to understand the existing edaphoclimatic conditions, as well as to elaborate a quick diagnosis of each potential climatophilous vegetation series. Moreover, based on the main stages of substitution, it is also possible to identify the presence of endemic plants, or under protection status, and finally, the conservation state of the study area. Further ahead, in project proposal phase, based on information gathered previously, we point out the possibility of elaborating a list of plants correctly adapted to the existing mesologicall conditions. Thus, within each serial stage, the necessary ecological conditions for a correct adaption of the vegetation material are referred, therefore, avoiding possible limiting factors to their development, such as precipitation, soil erosion, light availability, salinity, among many others. Lastly, some considerations are made about the main ideas that should be remembered throughout this essay, namely, regarding the importance of the use of sinphytosociology’s knowledge as an analysis tool, as well as of high interest for the elaboration of proposals which aim at the floristic heritage’s conservation and the landscape’s scenic quality. Ce travail traite de l`application de plantes autochtones dans des projets d`Architecture Paysagiste ayant pour base des études réalisées dans le cadre de la phytosociologie et Symphytosociologie. À travers ces connaissances, il est possible d`incrémenter et améliorer l`utilisation de plantes autochtones dans les Projets basés sur la conservation de la biodiversité. Ainsi, afin de mieux comprendre le territorie de la méditérrannée occidentale, on présente une brève caractérisation biophysique, dans laquelle nous soulignons les principaux facteurs qui contribuent à la répartition de la végétation dans le paysage, notamment au niveau climatique (l`océanité, ombrothermique et thermoclimatique) et du substrat (géologie et lithologie). Face aux conditions, identifiées ci-dessus, élévées en originalité, il est utile d`élaborer une synthèse des principaux bois potentiels climatophiles existants au niveau de la classe/ordre symphitosociologique, en soulignant également les principales étapes de série, leurs bioindicateurs végétaux et aux particularités écologiques de chaque étape (régressive ou progressive). Ainsi, sur la base de l`interprétation de la zone d`étude, le bioindicateur végétal se distingue comme un outil de travail durant l`analyse, permettant de cette façon comprendre les conditions édapho-climatiques existantes, ainsi comme élaborer un rapide diagnostic de chaque série de végétation potentielle climatophile. En outre, sur la base des principales étapes de remplacement, il est également possible d`identifier la présence de plantes endémiques, ou avec un statut de protection et enfin l`état de conservation de la zone d`étude. Déjà au stade de proposition du projet, basée sur l`information recueillie précédemment, il y a la possibilité d`établir une liste de plantes bien adaptées aux conditions mésologiques. Ainsi, dans chaque étape de série, les conditions écologiques nécessaires à une bonne adaptation de la matière végétale sont référées, évitant ainsi des facteurs limitant à son développement, tels que les précipitations, l`érosion des soís, disponibilité de la lumière, de la salinité, parmi beaucoup d`autres. Et enfin, quelques considérations se tissent sur les principales idées à retenir tout au long du travail, notamment l`importance d`utiliser la connaissance de la symphytosociologie comme un outil d`analyse d`un grand intérêt pour la développement de propositions pour la conservation du patrimoine floristique et la qualité pittoresque du paysage.

Ideas para la ampliación del Parque del Alamillo, Sevilla

Projecte presentat al "Concurso Internacional de ideas para la ampliación del Parque del Alamillo, Sevilla"

Brush and pencil notes in landscape, thirty reproductions from water-colour sketches, and twenty-nine from sketches in pencil;

Mode of access: Internet.

Landscape architecture in the modern world,

Mode of access: Internet.

The Role of Chinese Plants in Hungarian Landscape Architecture

Most outdoor plants in Hungarian horticulture are exotas mainly from Middle and East Asia and North America. The flora of China is diversified and has many species because the last glacial period did not reach China. The richness of the Chinese flora was known for Europeans by the missionaries and medics first in 19th cectury. Later some bigger nurseries sent expeditions in China to collect new plants. Nowadays the Hungarian landscape architecture is impossible without Chinese plants.

Water scarcity, social power and the production of an elite suburb: the political ecology of water in Matadepera, Catalonia

This article investigates the history of land and water transformations in Matadepera, a wealthy suburb of metropolitan Barcelona. Analysis is informed by theories of political ecology and methods of environmental history; although very relevant, these have received relatively little attention within ecological economics. Empirical material includes communications from the City Archives of Matadepera (1919-1979), 17 interviews with locals born between 1913 and 1958, and an exhaustive review of grey historical literature. Existing water histories of Barcelona and its outskirts portray a battle against natural water scarcity, hard won by heroic engineers and politicians acting for the good of the community. Our research in Matadepera tells a very different story. We reveal the production of a highly uneven landscape and waterscape through fierce political and power struggles. The evolution of Matadepera from a small rural village to an elite suburb was anything but spontaneous or peaceful. It was a socio-environmental project well intended by landowning elites and heavily fought by others. The struggle for the control of water went hand in hand with the land and political struggles that culminated – and were violently resolved - in the Spanish Civil War. The displacement of the economic and environmental costs of water use from few to many continues to this day and is constitutive of Matadepera’s uneven and unsustainable landscape. By unravelling the relations of power that are inscribed in the urbanization of nature (Swyngedouw, 2004), we question the perceived wisdoms of contemporary water policy debates, particularly the notion of a natural scarcity that merits a technical or economic response. We argue that the water question is fundamentally a political question of environmental justice; it is about negotiating alternative visions of the future and deciding whose visions will be produced.

Environmental weathering of natural and artificial stones used in historical architecture: influence of microstructure and new restoration methods

For some study cases (the Cathedral of Modena, Italy, XII-XIV century; the Ducal Palace in Mantua, Italy, XVI century; the church of San Francesco in Fano, Italy, XIV-XIX century), considered as representative of the use of natural and artificial stones in historical architecture, the complex interaction between environ-mental aggressiveness, materials’ microstructural characteristics and degradation was investigated. From the results of such analyses, it was found that materials microstructure plays a fundamental role in the actual extent to which weathering mechanisms affect natural and artificial stones. Consequently, the need of taking into account the important role of material microstructure, when evaluating the environmental aggressiveness to natural and artificial stones, was highlighted. Therefore, a possible quantification of the role of microstructure on the resistance to environmental attack was investigated. By exposing stone samples, with significantly different microstructural features, to slightly acidic aqueous solutions, simulating clean and acid rain, a good correlation between weight losses and the product of carbonate content and specific surface area (defined as the “vulnerable specific surface area”) was found. Alongside the evaluation of stone vulnerability, the development of a new consolidant for weathered carbonate stones was undertaken. The use of hydroxya-patite, formed by reacting the calcite of the stone with an aqueous solution of di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate, was found to be a promising consolidating tech-nique for carbonates stones. Indeed, significant increases in the mechanical prop-erties can be achieved after the treatment, which has the advantage of simply con-sisting in a non-hazardous aqueous solution, able to penetrate deeply into the stone (> 2 cm) and bring significant strengthening after just 2 days of reaction. Furthermore, the stone sorptivity is not eliminated after treatment, so that water and water vapor exchanges between the stone and the environment are not com-pletely blocked.

Teaching in Landscape

“We, the landscape architects, concerned with the future development of our landscapes in a fast changing world, believe that everything, influencing the way in which the outdoor environment is created, used, and maintained is fundamental to sustainable development and human well-being. We, being responsible for the improvement of the education of future landscape architects to enable them to work for a sustainable environment within the context of our natural and cultural heritage”. (IFLA/UNESCO 2005) CHARTER FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION) Nowadays, respect and appreciation of the landscape sustainably grow. Landscape Architecture professionals are makers encourage and guide this growth. However, there is still no legal recognition of the landscape profession in Spain. For this reason we present this paper that shows the current framework in which appear a professional educated with masters and specialized courses, but it lacks a defined work area and unique in its business learned. We present the demands of both IFLA and the EFLA and teaching lines proposed by these organizations at European level are distinguished. Furthermore, we analyze the national scene and major training centres are distinguished.

The art of landscape architecture /

"March 1990."

Landscape architecture.

Some issues accompanied by CD-ROM.

Exploring Relationships Between Vector-Borne Diseases and Landscape Architecture: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Landscape Architecture

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Quality of water sources used as drinking water in a Brazilian peri-urban area

The objective of this paper was to assess bacteriological quality of drinking water in a peri-urban area located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 89 water samples were collected from community plastic tanks and 177 water samples from wells were collected bimonthly, from September 2007 to November 2008, for evaluating bacteriological parameters including: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus and heterotrophic plate count (HPC). Clostridium perfringens was investigated in a subsample (40 samples from community plastic tank and 40 from wells). E. coli was present in 5 (5.6%) samples from community plastic tanks (2.0 - 5.1x10(4) MPN/100mL) and in 70 (39.5%) well samples (2.0 - 8.6x10(4) MPN/100mL). Thus, these samples were not in accordance with the Brazilian Regulation. Enterococcus was detected in 20 (22.5%) samples of the community plastic tanks (1 to 79 NC/100mL) and in 142 (80.2%) well samples (1 to >200 NC/100mL). C. perfringens was detected in 5 (12.5%) community plastic tanks samples and in 35 (87.5%) wells samples (2.2 to >16 MPN/100mL). HPC were above 500 CFU/mL in 5 (5.6%) waters from community plastic tanks. In wells samples, the HPC ranged from <1 to 1.6x10(4) CFU/mL. The residual chlorine did not attend the standard established in the drinking water legislation (0.2 mg/L), except in 20 (22.5%) samples. These results confirm the vulnerability of the water supply systems in this peri-urban area what is clearly a public health concern.