5 Differences Between Urban Design And Landscape Architecture
Due to the similarities of landscape architecture and urban design, there has been a controversy over their differences.
Today, I think it is necessary that we briefly talk about the 5 differences with facts.
But before we get to the list let's answer these few questions.
What is landscape architecture? And what is urban design?
Here is the dictionary definition of the first "landscape architecture is the art and practice of designing the outdoor environment, especially designing of parks or gardens to harmonize with buildings and roads".
Now UD group, on the other hand, defines Urban design thus
"it is the collaborative and multi-disciplinary process of molding the physical setting for life in towns, cities, and villages; the art of making places; design in an urban context".
Now let's quickly go through the list.
#1. The urban design appears more expensive compared to landscape architecture
Out of the top 10, most expensive construction projects in the world (the interstate highway system) worth $459 billion appeared no. 1 in the list according to the integrapeople.com's record.
Meanwhile, there has never been such a single massive, multi-billion dollars landscape architecture project of a sort ever recorded in the world history, compared to this mega Urban design project.
#2. Urban design has a slight collaborative process difference with landscape architecture
You will find a team of planners, designers, technical specialists in both professions to collaboratively work to provide their design goal.
But when you look closely in their team members you discover something different.
For example, Stantec is a landscape architecture firm.
They have a team of 60 professionals.
Then, 24 out of these 60 team members are landscape architects, 3 out of the remaining 36 are Urban designers, and the rest 33 are other technical specialists such as environmental scientist, principals, community development etc.
Meanwhile, the Urban design, on the other hand, tend to have more urban designers and Architects in their team.
For example, Martyn Tribe is a director and principal of Urban Design Architects Pty Ltd (Urban design firm) in his 18 years experience has 7 team members.
All 6 team members are architects.
Another example is tlf.gov.uk.
They have 7 team members and all are Urban designers.
#3. Urban design focuses most likely on the urban context compared to landscape architecture
For example, Christoph kuffer, ETH Zurich has suggested "conservationists must learn to design the ecological landscape of tomorrow instead of mourning lost nature.
"landscape architects can serve as a model for this."
Other examples are greenscape which is producing good results with less money and environmentally friendly remedy for landscaping and also roof gardens etc.
So, landscape architecture touches more on nature compared to urban design which focuses on urban-civilized, technological context.
#4. The differences in goal setting
The goal of landscape architects is to make public spaces in ways that help enhance the environment and promote the health of the people of the community over time.
While the urban design goal is to create a vibrant and at the same time a welcoming urban environment.
#5. Urban design is a degree program on its own as well as landscape architecture
There are few Universities that offer urban design degree as one of their degree programs such as the University of Michigan, University of Colorado, University of Toronto.
Therefore, you barely find a university that offers Architecture and ecology discipline with that degree program.
Meanwhile, you can easily find a degree program on landscape architecture.
Take away: Their differences in the mode of service
Services urban designers offer includes:
Services landscape architects offer includes:
Conclusion: would you not give this list a second thought? Because most people find it difficult to differentiate between landscape architecture and urban design due to their similarities.
But how has this post helped you? What do you think about the list?
Let's see your contribution in the comment box below.
And do not forget to subscribe to my mailing list to get upcoming posts to your inbox, so you could come back to also contribute your thought.
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| Image credit: Sil En Zio |
Today, I think it is necessary that we briefly talk about the 5 differences with facts.
But before we get to the list let's answer these few questions.
What is landscape architecture? And what is urban design?
Here is the dictionary definition of the first "landscape architecture is the art and practice of designing the outdoor environment, especially designing of parks or gardens to harmonize with buildings and roads".
Now UD group, on the other hand, defines Urban design thus
"it is the collaborative and multi-disciplinary process of molding the physical setting for life in towns, cities, and villages; the art of making places; design in an urban context".
Now let's quickly go through the list.
#1. The urban design appears more expensive compared to landscape architecture
Out of the top 10, most expensive construction projects in the world (the interstate highway system) worth $459 billion appeared no. 1 in the list according to the integrapeople.com's record.
Meanwhile, there has never been such a single massive, multi-billion dollars landscape architecture project of a sort ever recorded in the world history, compared to this mega Urban design project.
#2. Urban design has a slight collaborative process difference with landscape architecture
You will find a team of planners, designers, technical specialists in both professions to collaboratively work to provide their design goal.
But when you look closely in their team members you discover something different.
For example, Stantec is a landscape architecture firm.
They have a team of 60 professionals.
Then, 24 out of these 60 team members are landscape architects, 3 out of the remaining 36 are Urban designers, and the rest 33 are other technical specialists such as environmental scientist, principals, community development etc.
Meanwhile, the Urban design, on the other hand, tend to have more urban designers and Architects in their team.
For example, Martyn Tribe is a director and principal of Urban Design Architects Pty Ltd (Urban design firm) in his 18 years experience has 7 team members.
All 6 team members are architects.
Another example is tlf.gov.uk.
They have 7 team members and all are Urban designers.
#3. Urban design focuses most likely on the urban context compared to landscape architecture
"landscape architects can serve as a model for this."
Other examples are greenscape which is producing good results with less money and environmentally friendly remedy for landscaping and also roof gardens etc.
So, landscape architecture touches more on nature compared to urban design which focuses on urban-civilized, technological context.
#4. The differences in goal setting
The goal of landscape architects is to make public spaces in ways that help enhance the environment and promote the health of the people of the community over time.
While the urban design goal is to create a vibrant and at the same time a welcoming urban environment.
#5. Urban design is a degree program on its own as well as landscape architecture
There are few Universities that offer urban design degree as one of their degree programs such as the University of Michigan, University of Colorado, University of Toronto.
Therefore, you barely find a university that offers Architecture and ecology discipline with that degree program.
Meanwhile, you can easily find a degree program on landscape architecture.
Take away: Their differences in the mode of service
Services urban designers offer includes:
- Community consultation
- Open space and recreation master planning
- Town center design
- Community modeling
- Urban design framework
- Urban Revitalization
- Subdivision design
- Strategic master planning
Services landscape architects offer includes:
- Community outreach
- Site feasibility and yield studies
- Sight lighting design
- High-performance site planning
- Water feature design
- Rooftop garden design
- Campus design
- Park and playground design
- Waterfront design
- Landscape restoration
- Landscape development approvals
- Landscape planting and irrigation design
- Complete streets, making traffic peaceful, and streetscape design.
Conclusion: would you not give this list a second thought? Because most people find it difficult to differentiate between landscape architecture and urban design due to their similarities.
But how has this post helped you? What do you think about the list?
Let's see your contribution in the comment box below.
And do not forget to subscribe to my mailing list to get upcoming posts to your inbox, so you could come back to also contribute your thought.
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