Recoupling Planning and Landscape Architecture

A closer marriage between planning and landscape architecture would mean strong connections between the processes of policy making and place making.

1 minute read

November 21, 2019, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


High Line with Denari

pisaphotography / Shutterstock

"Landscape architects need to become urban planners and work 'upstream' in the policy and regulatory process to ensure public space leads urban placemaking efforts."

Ian Dillon writes the above statement to report a message presented by a group of landscape architects at the ASLA 2019 Conference, recently held in Washington, D.C.

According to one of the panelists, Michael Grove, the current disconnect between the two fields has resulted from a historic decoupling of place making and policy making—now landscape architects excel at the former and planners at the latter. "Landscape architects can lead and participate in urban policy-making through 'upstream urbanism,' while prioritizing public spaces as the dominant placemaking strategy in cities," writes Dillon to explain Grove's point.

Monday, November 18, 2019 in ASLA The Dirt

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

3 hours ago - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business