Diy, Clarisse C.L. Arch 20 - THY2010-70251Oct. 11, 2013

Man and Nature: The Mighty Bond

Landscape planning is not a simple feat, and a lot of considerations have to be accounted for to achieve a sound design in harmony not only with how man (the client, the planner, the investor, and the audience) wants it to be, but also with how it was supposed to be according to the landscapes natural origins, character and features. Nowadays, in the midst of the movement towards industrialization and globalization, it seems that most of the time, environmental aspects of planning and construction are being rushed, and in worst cases, overlooked. Practicality and accumulation of profits are focused on. Well of course, such are quite significant; after all, these fuel our (currently) very capitalistic society. But we couldnt deny that if our society would continue this attitude of neglect, we would greatly regret it in the long run. In his book, Design with Nature, Ian McHarg explores and asserts the idea of human cooperation and biological partnership, the connection of man and his surroundings, man and nature itself to achieve a connection which will be greatly beneficial to each other.Landscape ecology, as the name implies, is the study of landscapes; specifically, the composition, structure and function of landscapes with respect to its ecological characteristics. (McGarigal K., U. Mass.) On the other hand, landscape ecological planning is the planning of the landscape with these factors in consideration.

This means that the planner must dig in and examine further the properties of the land, the vegetation, and all the rest of the ecological factors that could possibly affect the construction and functionality of the design. The environmental impact assessment is an essential part of the site probe that should be done before any construction undertakings. Through the accomplishment of this assessment, experts / knowledgeable people would be employed to do the evaluation carefully. On the other hand, methods for flood protection, habitat restoration and other approaches should be in line with ecosystem-friendly, naturalized landscape design solutions.

McHarg revealed the damaged condition of the natural environment and held the electrifying promise that landscape architects were instrumental to its repair. (Herrington S. 2010) In the methods presented by McHarg, he continuously cited scientific bases. In fact, many aspects of study relating to the landscape, ecology and architecture stemmed from his philosophies landscape urbanism and ecological planning etc. The representation of landscape properties through sectional diagrams and layer exploration is developed, and several technologies relating to these processes (such as the GIS) were invented.

Due to the continuing reliance of the present-day society to chemicals, to technological advancements, and other complicated bits and pieces of life, the process of landscape ecological planning has generated a number of disciplines and philosophies for the urban and rural environmental developments at some point may differ from each other but still aim for a unified goal for people to get close to nature, and nature to get close to the people. Looking through another vantage point, the culture of our ancestors has actually maintained and taken care of the connection of man and nature for a long time that is, before the colonialists came and destroyed it. It was not completely destroyed though, but the outlook of the succeeding generations of Filipinos has changed so much that the aware and concerned individuals (in relation to these issues) has been somehow, reduced to a number of people who study this particular field. As time passes by, hopefully, more of our countrymen would acknowledge their role in building a strong connection between man and nature.

References:

1.) Design With Nature by Ian McHarg, 19692.) The Nature of Ian McHards Science by S. Herrington3.) Website: lanscapeurbanism.com