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.
Read the full story: Landscape design brings communities together
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority