Protected landscapes: Their ability to ground design processes that encourage human interaction : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University

Abstract

This research investigates the potential of our protected landscapes in guiding interaction-based sensory connections to progress opportunities of designing a deeper landscape understanding within the landscape architecture profession. The approach to investigating the topic explores theories relating to protected landscapes and peoples positions with these spaces whilst incorporating external literature to deepen the breadth of perception around connection. It further explores protected landscapes and the subsequent connections through field-based interactions within the protected landscape setting to arrive at an intelligible methodology in designing the extracted experiences. The method is then applied to an existing landscape where design outcomes are tested in relation to their people-nature based connections, with an additional method being applied in exploration of multi-method potentials and comparisons. The study finds that protected landscapes offer an abstracted environment to the complexities of civilisation, providing for a valuable site of investigation into extracting experiences that fuel designing to better user connection to the landscape. The study also finds the process of interaction significantly influences the level of understanding. Fieldwork conducted revealed interactions of rich value that directed experiences and subsequent understanding of the landscape, which were then articulated into guidance for designing alike connections. It finds that an experimenting in all parts of method and the sequences in which they are conducted results in variation of outcome, furthering an expansion upon these people-nature relations, and how the findings can develop the potential for designers to recreate these experiences of connection. Finally, the research illustrates the opportunity for landscape architecture to further explore the magic that unfolds from nature-based experiences within our protected landscapes, to expand on ways of nurturing interactive understanding of the landscape.