A planner and developer waxes poetic, and keeps it pragmatic too, about the importance of landscape architecture.
Bryan Tuckey writes a love letter to the benefits of skillful landscape architecture. A sample from the paean:
"There is a science behind designing these special outdoor spaces for people to enjoy. Landscaping and public spaces are an essential part of building complete communities and in the land development and homebuilding industry, we recognize that communities are made up of more than just the buildings, and that landscape architecture is often what brings everything together."
Tuckey is CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association, mentioning above that he's speaking on behalf of the development industry. But his words might come as a surprise to people who argue that developers are concerned with the bottom line. Tuckey describes, however, a few examples of unique examples of landscape architecture's benefits from around Toronto. He also mentions, ahem, the bottom line: the horticulture sector is worth $15 billion to the Canadian economy, with Ontario as the largest contributor.
FULL STORY: Landscape design brings communities together

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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont