Landscape Architecture Theory: An Evolving Body of Thought

by Michael D. Murphy

Although we visualize the landscape as a place, it is best understood as a process. Landscape design thus becomes a tool for managing this process of change to create meaningful and compelling places. Landscape Architecture Theory provides an insightful introduction to the evolving body of knowledge that underpins the discipline and practice of landscape architecture. The author’s treatment emphasizes the interrelationships between the biophysical and human dimensions of the environment and the theories and decision-making processes that issue from these relationships. Students and practitioners alike will appreciate how this comprehensive text integrates knowledge from a wide variety of disciplines—including earth science, ecological science, behavioral science, design process, and aesthetics—with the theories that have been formulated to apply that knowledge to understanding the landscape. This understanding, it is hoped, will result in designs that improve both quality of life and quality of the environment. Titles of related interest from Waveland Booth, Basic Elements of Landscape Architectural Design (ISBN 9780881334784) and Molnar, Anatomy of a Essentials of Recreation Area Planning and Design, Fourth Edition (ISBN 9781478622024).

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Per Hedfors · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thoughtful book, at the basic level of theory in landscape architecture. There is an emphasis on design procedures involving public participation. The theory presented follows McHarg's line of thoughts. There are perhaps no other book than this, which elaborates on theory explicitly. There are a few papers, but hardly any monographs.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a Theory book, quite nice.