Landscape Design Research Articles

Google Earth as a Tool for Supporting Geospatial Thinking

In landscape planning and design, geospatial technologies (GSTs) are used to aid in visualizing and interpreting geographic environments, identifying geospatial patterns, and making decisions around information based on maps and geospatial information. GSTs are related to the different tools and technologies used to represent the earth’s surface and have transformed the practice of landscape design and geospatial education. These technologies play an important role in promoting the development and application of STEM-relevant geospatial thinking. Curricula that incorporate GSTs have been used across educational levels, from elementary school through college, and have been shown to support the development of geospatial learning and understanding. The present work discusses the use of one type of GST, virtual globes, as a tool for developing geospatial thinking, with a specific focus on Google Earth. This review highlights outcomes of several studies using Google Earth in the context of disciplines related to landscape design, such as geography and earth science. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this technology for supporting the development of geospatial knowledge, such as its role in facilitating data visualization and supporting student’s ability to think flexibly about spatial patterns and relations, are discussed. Finally, the limitations of the current research on Google Earth as a tool for supporting geospatial learning are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Semantic Comparison of Online Texts for Historical and Newly Constructed Replica Ancient Towns from a Tourist Perception Perspective: A Case Study of Tongguan Kiln Ancient Town and Jinggang Ancient Town

This study explores the dimensions of visitor perception by conducting a semantic analysis, Grounded Theory coding classification, and sentiment analysis on online texts related to Jinggang Ancient Town and Tongguanyao Ancient Town. It reveals the differences between newly constructed and historical ancient towns in terms of tourism experience perception, landscape spatial design, and the activation of cultural heritage preservation. The results indicated the following: (1) The differences in tourists’ perceptions stem from the different needs for the characteristics of the ancient towns. Tourists focus on the design innovation and experiential interest of Tongguanyao Ancient Town, while preferring the cultural depth and authenticity of Jinggang Ancient Town. (2) Tourists are highly concerned about the characteristics of “tourism development”, highlighting the challenge of balancing tourism development with the protection of ancient town heritage resources. (3) The study further emphasizes innovative forms of the reproduction of cultural heritage through multi-sensory, modern, and diverse approaches. This study enhances landscape design in ancient towns by integrating perspectives from both tourists and designers, promoting the protection of cultural heritage and facilitating deeper cultural tourism integration.

Development of the regulatory framework for landscape architecture

Good regulation is anchored on sound professional basis, guarantees quality and protects heritage, while leaving room for design creativity and public interest. This review of the regulatory system for landscape architecture over the last 40 years aims to show how far these guarantees have been achieved. Landscape architecture as a technical and scientific discipline is subject to engineering regulations and legislation related to several areas of heritage protection. The legal instruments for the scope of tasks of the profession, which is diverse and multiscale, are presented in terms of the strategic framework, the spatial, local and architectural-technical planning, the protection of natural and cultural heritage as well as the regulatory system for the professional license.

Evolving Urban Landscape: Colonial Influences and Selective Modernity in Sam Phraeng Shophouses and Aristocratic Palaces During King Rama V's Reign

This study examines the architectural and urban transformation of Sam Phraeng, a historic Bangkok precinct, during King Rama V's reign (1868-1910). Employing Maurizio Peleggi's concept of 'Selective Modernity' and Iderlina B. Mateo-Babiano's work on urban space transformation, the research investigates modernity in an area near the Grand Palace considering historical restrictions on foreign residences. The study notes that Western-style architecture near the Grand Palace was primarily limited to government offices, contrasting with areas like Northern Charoen Krung Road, which was developed as a foreign residential and commercial district since the late King Rama IV's reign. Against this backdrop, it explores Sam Phraeng’s unique development through historical document analysis, architectural typology, comparative analysis, and socio-economic context examination. The research reveals Sam Phraeng’s evolution from a royal enclave to a vibrant commercial and cultural hub, reflecting broader societal changes while maintaining proximity to traditional power centers. The architectural landscape, particularly shophouses in Phraeng Nara and Phraeng Phuthon, showcases a blend of colonial design elements with local techniques and aesthetics. This study contributes to understanding how non-colonized nations like Siam navigated the pressures of modernity, selectively adopting foreign elements while preserving cultural identity. Sam Phraeng’s architectural and urban evolution offers insights into the complex processes of engagement with modernity, urbanization, and cultural adaptation in late 19th-century Siam, highlighting nuanced development approaches near traditional power seats.

"the need for beauty": New Zealand Interior and Landscape Architecture in the 1940s

At the 1948 Arbor Day ceremony at Taita North School, Mr Polson "impressed upon the children the need for beauty in the world after the destruction and desolation of the recent war.ʺ As such he proposed that we could proactively make the world a better place. This decade in New Zealandʹs history of interior and landscape architectures was widely understood as a period of change and a desire to improve the world. Bill Toomath has described it as a time of "restrained transitional work,ʺ while Philippa Mein Smith refers to "a sequence of symbolic moves [that] indicated that the Dominion had become a nation.ʺ

Analysis of the Current Situation of College Students Using AI Tools for Learning-A Case Study of the Landscape Architecture Major

With the wide application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in higher education, the teaching methods and learning approaches in design disciplines such as landscape architecture are undergoing significant changes. This study aims to explore the current usage of AI tools among landscape architecture students, analyzing their effectiveness and associated challenges in learning. Based on a survey of 32 landscape architecture students, and utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, t-tests, and ANOVA, the study reveal that AI tools significantly enhance design efficiency and stimulate creative thinking, but the technical complexity of some of the tools restricts their application effects. The results of the study show that the frequency of use is moderately positively correlated with the learning effect and satisfaction, and there is a significant difference in the impact of different AI tool types on students' learning effects. While AI tools exhibit strong potential in landscape architecture education, their effective integration requires improved technical support and educational strategies. The study concludes with recommendations on effectively incorporating AI tools into curriculum design to promote students' comprehensive capabilities.

KEPONG BOTANICAL GARDEN: THE ROLE AND CHALLENGE TOWARDS CONSERVATION PLANT DIVERSITY

The rapid loss of plant diversity poses a critical global environmental challenge, particularly in biodiverse regions like Malaysia, encompassing diverse ecosystems from underwater realms to mountain forests. This study explores the pivotal role of botanic gardens as environmental stewards amidst this crisis, focusing on their efforts in plant conservation. This research identifies key findings through a documentation analysis of Npark Singapore Botanic Garden and Bogor Botanic Garden and semi-structured interviews with experts from Kepong Botanical Garden and Landscape Architects. Both case studies highlight the success of botanical gardens in collecting, preserving, and conserving the diversity of tropical plant species. They provide essential facilities and employ management strategies such as ex-situ conservation programs. Interviews underscore the significance of these activities in advancing plant taxonomy and habitat exploration. These findings serve as a critical reference for ongoing conservation initiatives, emphasising the potential of Kepong Botanic Garden to mitigate biodiversity loss in Malaysia.

How Radical Exactly?

The international competition for the new regulation plan of Novi Sad was held in 1937, in which Juraj Neidhardt’s design was awarded compensation instead of a prize. However, upon further consideration, the city administration decided to adopt a new version of Neidhardt’s plan in the following years. In addition to this plan, he won the administration’s trust to design a series of lower-level plans for the city in 1938-1941. Therefore, Neidhardt became the most prominent figure in the urban planning process triggered by the 1937 competition. However, his final regulation plan for the city from 1941 was rejected in the first post-war revision in 1945, failing to lead to any fruition. Nevertheless, the researchers later characterized the radical modernist approach of this plan as the inspiration for the subsequent general plans of Novi Sad, namely due to introducing the idea of cutting new axes through the urban tissue. There is room today, however, to re-evaluate these claims about the radicalness of Neidhardt’s plan since its solutions were deemed insufficient in bringing radical quality to the urban space of Novi Sad. Furthermore, in the 1938-1941 period, he designed a series of perspective drawings for the new regulation of the streets in the oldest urban core of the city, which brought a decisively modernist approach to treating the urban heritage: keeping only a selection of the most iconic monuments while replacing the rest of it with new modernist structures. These designs can contribute to reinstate the knowledge about Neidhardt’s approach to treating historical heritage, considering his later intricate studies of Bosnian and Macedonian architectural landscapes.

Study on the Function and Planning of Urban River Ecological Corridor

This study investigates the functions and planning principles of urban river ecological corridors, highlighting their vital role in urban ecosystems. Urban rivers, which include both waterways and riparian zones, provide essential ecosystem services such as habitat provision, temperature regulation, pollutant filtration, and flood mitigation. However, rapid urbanization has led to the degradation of these corridors, resulting in habitat fragmentation, reduced biodiversity, and compromised ecological integrity. The paper reviews global efforts and strategies for urban river restoration, emphasizing the significance of ecological methods and public participation in the planning process. A case study of the Yuhangtang River in Hangzhou, China, exemplifies various restoration approaches, including traditional flood control, ecological restoration, and landscape design, all assessed using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework. The findings indicate that employing the MCDM tool can facilitate planning that integrates the functions of river ecological corridors. Additionally, plans that achieve a balance of ecological, economic, social, and aesthetic benefits are more likely to gain public acceptance.

Study on the Function and Planning of Urban River Ecological Corridor

This study investigates the functions and planning principles of urban river ecological corridors, highlighting their vital role in urban ecosystems. Urban rivers, which include both waterways and riparian zones, provide essential ecosystem services such as habitat provision, temperature regulation, pollutant filtration, and flood mitigation. However, rapid urbanization has led to the degradation of these corridors, resulting in habitat fragmentation, reduced biodiversity, and compromised ecological integrity. The paper reviews global efforts and strategies for urban river restoration, emphasizing the significance of ecological methods and public participation in the planning process. A case study of the Yuhangtang River in Hangzhou, China, exemplifies various restoration approaches, including traditional flood control, ecological restoration, and landscape design, all assessed using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework. The findings indicate that employing the MCDM tool can facilitate planning that integrates the functions of river ecological corridors. Additionally, plans that achieve a balance of ecological, economic, social, and aesthetic benefits are more likely to gain public acceptance.

CENcyclopedia: Dynamic Landscape of Kinetochore Architecture Throughout the Cell Cycle.

The kinetochore, an intricate macromolecular protein complex located on chromosomes, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating chromosome segregation. It functions as a versatile platform for microtubule assembly, diligently monitors microtubule binding fidelity, and acts as a force coupler. Comprising over 100 distinct proteins, many of which exist in multiple copies, the kinetochore's composition dynamically changes throughout the cell cycle, responding to specific timing and conditions. This dynamicity is important for establishing functional kinetochores, yet the regulatory mechanisms of these dynamics have largely remained elusive. In this study, we employed advanced quantitative immunofluorescence techniques to meticulously chart the dynamics of kinetochore protein levels across the cell cycle. These findings offer a comprehensive view of the dynamic landscape of kinetochore architecture, shedding light on the detailed mechanisms of microtubule interaction and the nuanced characteristics of kinetochore proteins. This study significantly advances our understanding of the molecular coordination underlying chromosome segregation.

The Landscape Design Proposal for the New Archeological Museum of Cyprus

This paper deals with the landscape design strategy that was followed in the proposal that was submitted to the International Architecture Competition of the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus. The aim of this document is to analyze how landscape and architecture interact. In the author’s design proposal for the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus, the various “gardens” integrated into the Landscape are analyzed. The concept of landscape design is related to the sacredness of trees to certain gods in Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology. The proposal addresses the symbolic meaning of trees and water. The design triggered the creation of several “gardens”: the “Sacred Garden”, the “Stone Garden”, the “Olive Garden”, the “Sacred Grove”, and the “Public Garden”, combining their soft landscapes with the hard landscape of the “Plaza” and the “Courtyard”. Each figure in the garden has a symbolic meaning that allows for a dialogue between landscape and architectural design. In addition, the findings provide valuable insights into the historical and spiritual value of landscape elements (plants, water) that are also thermal regulators for sustainable urban planning. The research results may be of value to landscape architects, architects, and landscape designers in the Mediterranean region.

A Systematic Literature Review of Cross-Cultural Studies on Interior Perception

Individuals, as the fundamental building blocks of societies, engage in a continuous and evolving relationship with their environments, fostering unique cognitive patterns within their cultures. Factors like geography, climate, historical events, and social dispositions can lead to differences in cultural perceptions across different regions. On the other hand, spaces reflect ways of life and cultural values. Individuals’ perceptions and behaviours within their surroundings may differ depending on the cultures they belong to. Environmental studies within cultural contexts have been of interest in the architecture and psychology fields. There has been a notable increase in research interest in cross-cultural spatial perception. However, the studies mostly focus on the scale of architecture or landscape design. Interior spaces can be seen as one of the main surroundings for people, especially in the context of the current century urban context we live in. Therefore, it is essential to understand the differences in cultural perceptions of space to promote inclusivity within the global cultural context. This study aims to examine the similarities and differences between interior perception studies from a cross-cultural perspective. The systematic literature mapping method with inclusion and exclusion criteria was used within the Scopus database, and in total, 26 relevant perception studies focusing on cultural variation were selected and analyzed according to different interior typologies and countries. The findings indicate that individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds respond differently to various spatial typologies and interior spaces, with these differences linked to factors such as space programming, color choices, and levels of privacy.

Confucian modernity in the architecture of Penang's Chinese community

This article investigates the distinctive architectural landscape of the Chinese community in Penang, emphasising the historical and cultural significance of structures such as Chung Ling High School in the early twentieth century. It explores how these edifices, often labelled as ‘architecture without architects’, epitomise a confluence of Chinese and Western influences, reflecting the concepts of Confucian modernity. The analysis critiques conventional interpretations of architectural modernity by underscoring the socio-spatial contexts and grassroots construction processes that define these buildings. It examines how these structures function as mediums for cultural exchange and societal transformation, shedding light on the hybrid identity and communal cohesion of the Chinese diaspora in Penang. Through a comprehensive analysis of the architectural evolution and the socio-cultural dynamics within the local Chinese community, the article seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how architecture contributes to shaping the dynamics of China-Penang relations. By doing so, it challenges singular meta-narratives and emphasises the importance of comprehending local architectural history through diverse interactions. Furthermore, it serves as a call for re-evaluation and critical examination of the history of overseas Chinese architecture within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Factors Affecting Dust Retention in Urban Parks Across Site and Vegetation Community Scales

Air pollution poses a significant threat to human health, especially in urban areas. Urban parks function as natural biofilters, and examining the factors influencing dust retention—specifically PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations—across different spatial scales can enhance air quality and resident well-being. This study investigates the factors affecting dust retention in urban parks at both the site and vegetation community scales, focusing on Xi’an Expo Park. Through on-site measurements and a land use regression (LUR) model, the spatial and temporal distributions of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were analyzed. The indications of the findings are as follows. (1) The LUR model effectively predicts factors influencing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at the site scale, with adjusted R2 values ranging from 0.482 to 0.888 for PM2.5 and 0.505 to 0.88 for PM10. Significant correlations were found between particulate matter concentrations and factors such as the distance from factories, sampling area size, distance from main roads, presence of green spaces, and extent of hard pavements. (2) At the plant community scale, half-closed (30%–70% canopy cover), single-layered green spaces demonstrated the superior regulation of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. Specifically, two vegetation structures—the half-closed single-layered mixed broadleaf-conifer woodland (H1M) and the half-closed single-layered broad-leaved woodland (H1B)—exhibited the highest dust-retention capacities. (3) PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were highest in winter, followed by spring and autumn, with the lowest levels recorded in summer. Daily particulate matter concentrations peaked between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. and gradually decreased, reaching a minimum between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of urban green spaces on particulate matter (PM) concentrations across multiple scales. By identifying and synthesizing key indicators at these various scales, the research aims to develop effective design strategies for urban green spaces and offer a robust theoretical framework to support the creation of healthier cities. This multi-scale perspective deepens our understanding of how urban planning and landscape architecture can play a critical role in mitigating air pollution and promoting public health.

Optimization of building thermal environment in industrial heritage landscape regeneration design simulation based on image visual visualization

With the increasing attention paid to the regeneration design of industrial heritage landscape, how to effectively improve the thermal energy environment in these areas has become a research hotspot. The thermal efficiency of buildings not only affects the energy consumption, but also relates to the comfort of users and the sustainable development of the region. This study aims to explore the optimization method of building thermal energy environment based on image visual visualization, so as to achieve efficient regeneration of industrial heritage landscape, and improve the thermal energy performance and environmental adaptability of buildings through scientific design and simulation means. Through the use of computer aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) techniques, combined with heat flow simulation and visual image analysis, a detailed thermal environment assessment is carried out for selected industrial heritage buildings. Through data collection and analysis, we take into account factors such as sunlight, ventilation and heat loss in the building to develop an optimization plan. The simulation results show that the energy consumption of buildings with optimized thermal environment design is significantly reduced and the indoor thermal comfort is greatly improved. Visual tools effectively help the design team identify problem areas and provide intuitive data support for all parties during the design process. The optimization method of building thermal energy environment based on image visual visualization provides a new idea for the regeneration design of industrial heritage landscape, which helps to realize the dual goals of protecting the historical value and meeting the needs of modern environmental protection.

Student Attendance, Study Activities, Major, and Midterm Grades as Predictors of Final Course Grades of Undergraduate and Graduate Plant Materials Courses during the Eras before and after COVID-19

Data were collected from four plant materials courses over the span of 20 years. Two classes were at the undergraduate level, Trees and Shrubs for Sustainable Built Environments (HORT 306) and Plants for Sustainable Landscapes (HORT 308), and two classes were at the graduate level, Plants for Landscape Design (HORT 608) and Plants for Landscape Design II (HORT 609). Data from these courses were analyzed to determine trends in student performance and benchmarks that might be associated with student success. Data included student enrollment, midterm course grades, final course grades, number of unexcused absences, student-reported study times for various activities, student major, student experience (class rank), whether the courses were required, and perceived difficulty levels of the courses. Trends in grade distributions were fairly stable until the last 3 to 4 years before COVID-19, when mean final grades and the frequencies of A or B grades increased. Midterm grades were strongly positively correlated with final course grades across majors in all four courses before COVID-19 (R2 = 0.90, 0.74, 0.72, and 0.54 for HORT 306, HORT 308, HORT 608, and HORT 609, respectively; P ≤ 0.001) and continued to be positively correlated after COVID-19. The number of unexcused absences was negatively significantly correlated with final course grades across majors (R2 = −0.69, −0.63, −0.21, and −0.45 for HORT 306, HORT 308, HORT 608, and HORT 609, respectively) before COVID-19 (P ≤ 0.001) and continued to be similarly correlated after COVID-19. Fewer reductions from midterm to final grades were observed for fall courses than for spring courses, particularly for seniors. Self-reported time spent studying all aspects of the courses was either not significantly correlated (P ≤ 0.05) or surprisingly slightly negatively correlated with the final course grades for all four courses. Perceptions of courses as moderately difficult (range, 7.0–8.0 out of 10.0) were remarkably stable overall but varied considerably by major (range, 5.0–8.3) and experience (range, 7.5 for seniors to 8.1 for freshman). More than 96% of enrollment in the graduate courses both before and after COVID-19 comprised Horticulture and Landscape Architecture majors, whereas undergraduate enrollment included a wide diversity of majors; however, the majority of those students were horticulture or landscape architecture majors. Biological science students or students who were architectural design majors were the top-performing students in both undergraduate courses, whereas undeclared majors, social science majors, and those in probationary major categories were among the lower-performing students in both undergraduate courses.

Enhancement of Urban Forest into Healing Forest towards Sustainable Urban Ecosystem

Abstract The city of Bandung was known as the second-most populous city in West Java Province. This dense population contributes to a modern lifestyle, leading to stress. Nature therapy, such as activity in a healing forest, can help to alleviate stress. Babakan Siliwangi Urban Forest (BSUF) in Bandung City offers ecological, social, and cultural services that merit recognition as a healing forest. Therefore, this study evaluated whether BSUF complies with the Indonesian National Standard for Healing Forests requirements. Additionally, it aims to incorporate the healing forest concept into the existing design, thereby transforming the urban forest of BSUF into a healing forest. We used the survey method, questionnaires, and interviews to gather primary data about users’ perceptions of the landscape design of BSUF. This study also conducted observations to assess the physical environment of BSUF compared to Indonesian national standards. We found that the landscape elements of BSUF do not meet the required criteria despite the physical environment being quite suitable. Additional landscape elements and appropriate landscape designs are necessary to improve the physical environment of BSUF and make it a healing forest. Based on the evaluation of the landscape elements and the physical environment, we recommend creating a more comfortable resting place on the forest walk and improving the design of a spring area to be safer and more interesting.

Environmental Health and Transportation: A Landscape Design of a Vital Healthy Area in An Ecological Town

Traveling long distances for specialized treatment causes physical and finanacial coasts. In return, convenient and rapid train transportation along scenic routes provides a suitable atmosphere for recovery in therapeutic health environments. Just a traveling by train saves time andcontributes to economicdevelopment and facilitaiting trade exchanges, aswell as stimulating the economic mobility of regions. Designing a train trajectory thatis not considered from an ecological perspective leads to damage to users and sometimes harms to population Through this research , the ecological space of high speed train station and a parking area on Motorway designed using biomimetics in a healthy area of OuzeraTown in order to avoid the damage resulting from carbon dioxide emissions which provides an appropriate therapeutic environment that provides rapid transportation and specialized healthcare sevices in natural landscape and optimal therapeutic atmosphere in One Health environment.

Rural Landscape Planning and Design of Greenway Construction Path Based on Embedded Neural Network

Rural Landscape Planning and Design of Greenway Construction Path Based on Embedded Neural Network