Urban parks, Ecology and America

Question 1:

Michael Hough talks about two kinds of urban landscape: the first 'pedigreed' and the second 'fortuitous'. He also goes on to describe a third, a 'humanized', 'vernacular' landscape. Are all of these landscapes 'parks'? Are they 'green open space' or 'brownfield land'? Is it important, after all, what we call them?

I thought it was interesting that he separated the groups out and coupled the analysis of the traditionally derelict urban landscape and the ethnic neighborhoods in the city. His choice of words of pedigree and fortuitous are also very interesting and I'm still havent exactly wrapped my brain around what assigning these words do. I found myself disagreeing with parts of what he had written and his take on the ecology of the urban environment.

On one level I can understand his argument about diversity in run down and 'uglier' urban landscapes, i.e., ones that have not been professionally landscaped or set aside by the city as a 'beautification' project. I think that there is important diversity in these traditionally rundown and ignored landscapes but that I disagree with his statement that reclaiming or restoring an empty lot to a planned landscape would destroy or reduce the diversity that exists. I believe with careful attention payed to site analysis and ecological inventory that you can bring an empty lot around and enhance its diversity without completely mowing over it and eliminating what is already there. I believe that is what we should be focusing on in urban environments, taking the nature and ecosystems that have perservered in these rugged and untraditionally inhospitable landscapes and promoting their diversity and additionally making an area more aesthetically pleasing.

(Cape Cod National Seashore where I worked with Endgangered Species)

I wouldnt categorize all of the landscapes that he labeled as parks. I see parks as the American definition in that they are planned public spaces intent of bringing the public together and to provide joy and greenery in open space. I dont think its important what we call them. People can define their own idea of a park. If someone wants to call and empty parking lot a park then go for it but for me a park will always conjure up the vision of Central Park in NYC or even the mall in D.C., where I spent most of my childhood. My idea of a park is also heavily influenced by my time spent working for the federal and state park systems in America.



photo credits:
http://www.odt.co.nz/files/blog/2009/07/anna_s_blog_to_come_1669714187.JPG

Dan Kiley, Post Second World War Landscape Architect

Dan Kiley- New England born Landscape Architect that was at the forefront of the Modernism movement in America. Born in Massachusetts and worked both nationally and internationally on public parks and plazas. He is best known for his works completed in Washington D.C. ( outside space of the Smithsonian Botanical Gardens, Dulles Airport), the Dallas, Texas "Fountain Place" and for his private residential works done in the mid-west. He was my influential designer that I wrote about for site planning. He is a well respected designer of his time and continues to influence many contemporary landscape architects. He is an example of a designer that focused on bringing art and space together for the public to enjoy and was part of the public spaces movement that prevailed in the 20th century.

Home Sweet Home- a look at Washington D.C. in the 18th and 19th centuries

At the turn of the century Washington D.C. was getting a much needed restructuring and re-planning of the city area. The cornerstone for the new plans for the area were the from French architect Pierre L'Enfant. Thomas Jefferson recruited L'Enfant because his use of "traditional monumental planning" which Jefferson thought suited the young "truly liberal society". The 18th century French influence is still quite visible today with grand intersections with ornate fountains.

Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, shows influences of classic English architecture however the architects considered the surrounding natural landscape of the potomac river and the vista from the top of the hill where Mt. Vernon sits when designing the surrounding grounds and gardens.

L'Enfant's original plan for the City

Dupont Fountain

Circular intersection in D.C., Dupont Circle

Photo Credits:

http://www.freehillstudio.com/Dinner%20at%20Mount_Vernon_2004_-_150_dpi.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/103/290149216_6776d8a1d8.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/L%27Enfant_plan.jpg/752px-L%27Enfant_plan.jpg

Landscape Artist profile: Nancy Holt

I have chosen Nancy Holt as my land artist for the Admiral's Park project. Her work is large scale and has a large celestial component to her design and implementation of her pieces. Many of her pieces are found in the American Southwest and as a result of their rural location some of more well known and celebrated earthworks are not very accessible to the public. In addition to her work in America she has land art installed internationally including Spain and Austria.

photo references:
http://www.bookforum.com/uploads/upload.000/id02259/article00.jpg (sun tunnels)
http://ps1.org/images/newspaper/large/2006Fall/GRANAT_2.jpg