Planting design, management and maintenance in practice

Abstract

The profession of Landscape Architecture has many facets. It regards itself as capable in such areas as minor engineering works, ecology, environmental assessment, land use planning, project management and design. Some of these areas are regarded as the preserve of other professions, but there is one area that is regarded as strictly the landscape architect's, planting design.

Design, of which planting design is an important part, is the initial element to the profession. At this stage it is enough to call design a rigorous, creative problem solving process. This idea is recognised by Lucas (1988) who deals with rural landscape and landscape evaluation. McHarg (1969) uses an information based, ecological approach for landscape design. In a similar vein Wakeling (1979) and Lockhead (1980) talk of the value of design to solve predominantly urban planning problems. So as can be seen design can solve problems in a variety of different situations. However, in the approach to design the designer must be aware of the requirements and characteristics of the materials he or she is working with as a central element.