Ecological Design and Planning

". . . as we anticipate the world of the twenty-first century, landscape architecture is at a crossroads. If the disciplineembraces ecological design and planning, then it has a leadershiprole in contemporary society throughout the world. If landscapearchitecture, however, turns inward and ignores its largerresponsibility to the public good, then it will become marginalizedand less relevant." --George F. Thompson and Frederick R.Steiner.

The essays contained in this book are written by a cross section ofthe most respected teachers and prac-titioners of landscape designfrom around the globe. Ecological Design and Planning offers aunique opportunity to learn about the latest thinking and practicesin the art and science of ecological landscape design from suchleading lights as Michael Laurie, Carol Franklin, Laurie Olin, Elizabeth Meyer, Mark Johnson, and Ian McHarg.

The common thread that runs through these essays is the authors'conviction that the growing rift in landscape design--ecology vs.aesthetics--is an artificial one. Each author expresses abidingconcern for the ecological preservation and enhancement of thesite, while demonstrating clearly--with both words andpictures--that the best designs are those that harmonize aestheticform and ecological function. Ecological Design and Planning is asource of ideas and inspiration for landscape architects andplanners, architects, and all those who understand the importanceof designing with nature.

"It is high time that we citizens of the world begin to understandthat our situation on earth is not one in which nature must ruleover culture, or culture over nature, as if one can separate thetwo in the first place. It is high time to reflect upon thegeographies and landscape histories of the past throughout theworld so that we can bring forward--again--the concept that only bydesigning and planning with nature and culture can we begin to healthe landscapes and places of everyday existence--urban, rural, andwild--in environmental and aesthetic terms. 'God's own junkyard'need not continue to dominate our public landscapes, nor our ownbackyards and city streets." --George F. Thompson and Frederick R.Steiner

New essays by: James Corner, Carol Franklin, Mark Johnson, MichaelLaurie, Ian L. McHarg, Elizabeth Meyer, Forster Ndubisi, LaurieOlin, Claire Reiniger, Sally Shauman, Meto Voom, and Joan HirschmanWoodward.

Photographs by Steve Martino
About the Author: GEORGE F. THOMPSON is founder and president of the Center forAmerican Places, a nonprofit organization based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Mesilla, New Mexico, that is dedicated to enhancingthe public's understanding of geography and the values of place, especially through books. He has won an Honor Award and a MeritAward from the American Society of Landscape Architects for hiseditorial work and is the author or coauthor of three previousbooks and the creator of ten book series.

FREDERICK R. STEINER is professor and director of the School ofPlanning and Landscape Architecture at Arizona State University inTempe. He previously taught at the University of Colorado, Washington State University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Heis the author and editor of eight books and has received two HonorAwards from the American Society of Landscape Architects forCommunication and Research. His articles have appeared in numerousprofessional journals and magazines around the world.