Basics Landscape Architecture 02: Ecological Design

Nancy Rottle has focused most of her professional and academic life on the pedagogy and practice of ecological design and planning in landscape architecture. In addition to over a decade of teaching ecological and sustainable design courses, she founded and directs the Green Futures Lab in the University of Washington's College of Built Environments. Ken Yocom is an ecologist and landscape architect based in Seattle, Washington. He teaches in the Landscape Architecture Department at the University of Washington. Ken began his career as a wildlife ecologist working on a wide range of projects across the Pacific Northwest before migrating into landscape architecture.

• Introduction. What is ecological design?: Defining ecological design; Why urban?; An emerging practice; Integrating science and design; Olympic Sculpture Park. Systems: The structure and function of systems; Systems hierarchy; Types of systems; Green infrastructure systems; Ecosystem health and diversity; Waitakere and Twin Streams. Landscape dynamics: The form and function of landscapes; Dynamic equilibrium and resilience; Resilient + sustainable + regenerative design; Port Lands Estuary. Project processes: Design processes for ecosystem health; Implementing a framework; Civic participation; Stewardship; Freshkills Park. Operations: Protect/Conserve/Reuse; Scaffold/Structure/Initiate; Catalyse/Seed/Regenerate; Stratify/Layer/Strengthen; Regulate/Contain/Collect; Sieve/Filter/Cleanse; Metabolize/Digest/Remediate; Mimic/Copy/Imitate; Synthesize/Connect/Integrate; Reveal/Immerse/Teach. Places: Region and watershed; Netherlands Green Heart; Community; Portland, Oregon; Neighbourhoods; High Point; Streets; SW Montgomery Street; Parks and trails; Barry Curtis Park; Site/Parcel; 'Green Factor' programmes. Conclusion. Taking it further. Bibliography. Contacts and useful resources. Index. Acknowledgements and picture credits. Working with ethics.

This lively, engaging primer provides a succinct explanation of the value and the benefits of ecological design. The book includes numerous, colorful examples of how ecological design is being realized globally.