Strategy use and challenges of ecological design in landscape architecture

Abstract

Despite growing interest, rhetoric and research on ecological design in landscape architecture, practitioners in the US are not implementing as many ecological design strategies as might be expected. To better understand this phenomenon, the Green Building Practice Survey (GBPS) was carried out among landscape architects practicing varying degrees of ecological design to determine: (1) the frequency of use of common ecological design landscape strategies; (2) the obstacles and challenges that contribute to non-use; (3) significant characteristics of the firms; and (4) methods of project delivery. Phase I of the Green Building Practice Study, an online survey undertaken in association with the American Society of Landscape Architects, measured ecological design strategy use, identified unique characteristics of US ecological design practice in landscape architecture, and quantitatively revealed many challenges and constraints that practitioners face as they try to implement strategies. Phase II of the study, discussed in a separate publication, targeted a representative sample of 44 respondents with standard-questionnaire phone interviews to elucidate methods and techniques of ecological design practice. The study revealed high-frequency use of native plants, local materials, and site protection strategies; while use of green roofs, on-site wastewater treatment and material life-cycle analysis was quite low among the respondents. Commonly cited challenges were: issues of cost; lack of information, testing and data on performance of strategies; time available for research; and resistance by project stakeholders, other consultants and code officials. The results of this study highlight a strong need for research demonstrating the economic and performance advantages of ecological design; strengthened information dissemination forums for practitioners; and marketing and education efforts directed to all project stakeholders. This paper will present the survey results, relate them to similar studies in allied fields, discuss strategy use and challenges within the framework of Classical Diffusion Theory, and identify opportunities and forums where the challenges might be addressed.