Critiquing The Landscape Urbanism

As landscape urbanists hover in the exalted world of the designer-hero-genius, Emily Talen asks — where are the people?

1 minute read

November 28, 2010, 1:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur


In this piece from New Urban Network, Emily Talen provides a serious critique of the landscape urbanism. Although she admits that "it's easy to poke fun at landscape urbanism...the rapid growth of literature, academic appointments, and conference themes associated with it forces a more serious appraisal."

Upon exploring The Landscape Urbanism Reader during a recent trip through China, she concludes that "landscape urbanists are really, really good at describing things" and the movement is essentially unoriginal, contributing "nothing more than a series of restatements - in a hundred different ways - of the same issues that have been reframed, reconceptualized, and rewritten for the past 150 years."

Ultimately, Talen asserts that "by far the most serious problem with landscape urbanism is that it completely leaves out of the discussion something many of us consider to be pretty essential: humans."

Thanks to Scott Ulrich

Monday, November 22, 2010 in New Urban Network

Few passengers waiting in subway station with multiple platforms and "North Station" signs in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Transit Riders Report Safety Concerns

Almost three-quarters of current and former riders report feeling unsafe while using MBTA services.

September 18, 2023 - Hoodline

View of Interstate 205 bridge over Columbia River with Mt. Hood in background.

The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project

The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.

September 19, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Wood frame house under construction

Houston Lot Size Reforms Yield Positive Results

New research shows that reducing lot size requirements helped create thousands of new homes.

September 17, 2023 - Pew Trusts

High-rise modern apartment buildings with green space in front courtyard with outdoor exercise equipment.

Architecture and the Housing Crisis

A new book brings architects into the housing discussion.

7 hours ago - Next City

Aerial view of Koreatown neighborhood in Los Angeles with downtown skyline in background.

New Los Angeles Rent Relief Program Targets Pandemic Debt

The program prioritizes the lowest-income tenants who accrued debt during the early part of the pandemic.

September 25 - LAist

Roadside city limit sign for Santa Clara, California.

‘Agrihood:’ An Urban Farm With Affordable Housing

California’s largest urban farm also provides 165 units of affordable housing for seniors and veterans.

September 25 - ABC 7 News