Knowing your audience: the contingency of landscape design interpretations

To address visual communication issues in landscape planning and design processes, an analytical framework that enables the study and possible anticipation of the interpretation of visual design representations is presented here. This framework consists of a hybrid theory of Peircean social semiotics and Laclaudian post-foundational discourse analysis (PDA). The semiotics of Peirce, through the concept of the interpretant, enable the conceptualization of the discourses that make up the socio-political contexts of design projects as so-called ‘interpretive habits’. This framework is demonstrated by partly reconstructing the socio-political context of Rebuild by Design, a design competition organized in the wake of hurricane Sandy in New York. It is suggested through this demonstration that the sign systems and discursive networks that influence the interpretations of design images by different stakeholders can be partially uncovered during the design process itself. By recognizing these interpretive habits during specific phases of the design process, planners and designers could potentially better anticipate the productive and counter-productive interpretations of their design representations.     

‘The imaginary texture of the real …’ critical visual studies in landscape architecture: contexts,foundations and approaches

In this paper I examine potential for critical visual research studies in landscape architecture and related disciplines. The reasons for a neglect of imagery in research publications and the gap between landscape architectural practice and theory are considered, and the ways in which this restricts understanding are explored. I argue that visual studies can be used to bridge the practice–theory divide and enable investigations which are currently limited or absent in text-based methods and dissemination. To this end, five kinds of visual study are defined and their philosophical and methodological underpinnings and potential discussed. I conclude with an examination of the relationship between critical thinking and visual processes and the role of the viewer. The overall aim is to provide openings for future visual research studies and the development of critical visual discourses.     

'The imaginary texture of the real …' critical visual studies in landscape architecture: contexts, foundations and approaches

In this paper I examine potential for critical visual research studies in landscape architecture and related disciplines. The reasons for a neglect of imagery in research publications and the gap between landscape architectural practice and theory are considered, and the ways in which this restricts understanding are explored. I argue that visual studies can be used to bridge the practice-theory divide and enable investigations which are currently limited or absent in text-based methods and dissemination. To this end, five kinds of visual study are defined and their philosophical and methodological underpinnings and potential discussed. I conclude with an examination of the relationship between critical thinking and visual processes and the role of the viewer. The overall aim is to provide openings for future visual research studies and the development of critical visual discourses.     

A research frontier in landscape architecture: landscape performance and assessment of social benefits

This paper introduces a research frontier in landscape architecture—landscape performance benefits assessment. In an initiative proposed by the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), leading landscape architecture firms and academic institutions have been collaborating on studies that quantitatively assess environmental, economic and social benefits of high-profile landscape design projects. This study describes the components and processes of LAF landscape performance research and specifically evaluates the status of social benefits assessment, a critical though under-investigated aspect of landscape design sustainability. Using 58 published LAF case studies, the study examines to what extent social benefits are quantified compared with stated design goals, the benefits across the LAF case portfolio (e.g. per benefit category and project type), and methods and data options available to perform the analyses. Finally, the study provides suggestions on improving landscape performance research, particularly social benefits, in the enterprise of achieving evidence-based designs that are anchored in quantitative performance measures.     

公路设计中的视觉分析及对线形与景观的要求

对视觉分析在公路路线设计中的重要性及相关方法等问题进行了论述,并提出如何避免出现对视觉不利的线形组合情况,以及公路沿线景观的设计原则,以便进一步指导设计实践。     

城市商业步行街夜景亮化景观设计

现代化商业步行街的功能已由过去的购物和通行发展到了融购物、通行、休息、游览和娱乐为一体的综合性商业空间,是人们夜晚休闲、出游、购物的主要去处．良好的夜景观和舒适优美的灯光环境可以营造城市商业气氛、文化气氛和休闲气氛,并同时展示城市的形象。商业步行街的夜景照明除了满足基本的视看要求外,更多考虑的是如何创造一个更舒适、生动和充满情趣的城市空间环境。尝试用视知觉理论的研究成果．探讨商业步行街照明设计目标以及空间各要素的照明设计要求。简述了视知觉理论的基本观点：提出了基于视知觉的照明环境设计目标：明确了商业步行街夜景照明设计诸要素的处理方法。     

西安文景路道路景观工程种植设计

针对文景路道路景观种植设计的研究分析,从如何将植物作为主要元素进行了景观诠释论述,对不同的视觉尺度进行了分析,使植物在整个景观发挥最大价值,从而表达出整体景观所需传达的设计理念。     

Assessing landscape composition using visual assessment: accuracy of rapid description compared to digital mapping

We compared the accuracy of visual assessment of landscape composition to that of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping in (agro)ecology studies that focus on processes in which landscape factors are assumed to be insignificant and are often ignored. Seven land-use types were visually estimated from aerial photographs of contrasting rural landscapes in France. Visual assessment showed good agreement with results of GIS mapping for all land-use types, regardless of the observer. Estimates were accurate for forests and water areas, which are more visible than other land-use types. In contrast, observers often failed to distinguish crops from grassland, which decreased agreement for these land-use types; however, the estimate became fairly accurate when these land-use types were combined. Overall, this study confirms the relevance of using visual assessment to obtain simple landscape indices to improve studies that might otherwise ignore the landscape, provided that the loss of precision is compatible with the purpose of the study.     

浅谈小城镇建设中的景观规划设计

从小城镇的发展现状入手,分析了景观规划设计学科本身的性质,探讨了从传统的环境观、审美观中汲取对现代小城镇视觉形象特色设计有用的元素,并从景观的分析、规划、设计、管理四个方面阐述了小城镇景观规划设计的过程,以创造出具有特色的小城镇景观面貌。     

Data-driven simulation, dimensional accuracy and realism in a landscape visualization tool

Computer-based landscape simulation tools are used for assessing the visual impact of land-use decisions. Many systems rely on the artistic manipulation of two-dimensional scanned photographic or videotape images. The specific manipulation of an image is often not directly driven by data describing the proposed landscape modification. Also, it is difficult to move from a modified two-dimensional image to a three-dimensional real world design. This paper discusses how issues of data-driven simulation and dimensional accuracy are addressed in the Vantage Point landscape visualization tool. We describe features of the tool that contribute to image realism. We also propose how a tool with Vantage Point's capabilities would be useful for research in visual quality management and psychophysics.     

视觉评估在景观规划中的应用

针对景观规划设计的迅速发展,从评估内容、使用者、景观、评估、整体流程等方面探讨了城市景观视觉评估,比较了不同的城市化背景下中国城市景观与国外城市景观,以全面合理地归纳出城市景观的评价因子,有效地建立适合中国城市景观的评价体系。     

城市景观标识设计中富含城市特色的视觉造型基础元素之提炼——以南京市历史街区景观标识设计为例

在城市景观标识设计中如何体现城市特色,城市特色应当如何在众多的视觉景观与视觉元素中归纳与提炼出来,并根据这些视觉造型基础元素设计出贴切的满足基本使用功能且富含城市特色的景观标识作品来,这些是许多从事景观标识设计工作的广大设计师所面临的难题.该文结合南京市的历史街区景观标识设计这一设计实践,理性地对南京市富有城市特色的视觉造型基础元素进行分析,从城市中的自然地理因素、历史文化因素及地域风情三大方面对视觉造型基础元素进行归纳与提炼,寻找出适用的基础造型母体语言,完成城市景观标识设计.最后形成一定结论指导类似的设计实践活动.     

Our visual landscape: Managing the landscape under special consideration of visual aspects

Comprehensive landscape valuation requires an integration of ecological, economical and social values. Landscape image does not only comprise its spatial and structural parts but also the formal visual and cultural aesthetic expression of the landscape. In accordance with this holistic image of the landscape the manifestation of these special elements and visual functions is reflective of the natural and cultural coherence and beauty of long functioning natural and cultivated landscape systems.Landscape image and identity on the one hand and its natural or cultural variety (singular appearances of elements, local peculiarities or particulars) on the other hand are the most important criteria for evaluation, classifying and protecting against possible impacts on the local and regional landscape.However, in addition to the desirability of preserving existing landscape identity, the protection of existing elements, space and functions should not blindly rule out the possibility of new developments emerging with new values.Based on this basic idea value ranking of landscape features and individual expression of partial image sectors can be performed on the level of ecological and sustainable land use and planning culture. In landscape planning it is recognised that such a ranking requires a combination with professional judgement, informed opinion and public preferences as well.To ensure the aims of preservation and development of a high-quality nature and culture beauty special methods of analysis and demonstration of the landscape structure and image are requested. The demonstrated methodical steps should correspond to the objective of a sustainable nature and landscape preservation and development on an aesthetic landscape planning level with guidelines and helpful data for the impact assessment and intervention rule (German nature conservation act).     

Dynamics of integrating landscape values in landscape character assessment: the hidden dominance of the objective outsider

Abstract

While there has been extensive research undertaken on the values which insiders attribute to landscape there is a lack of literature which looks at how planning professionals handle landscape values. In this article, I develop a framework for questioning how landscape values are taken up in landscape planning, with the aim of conceptualising what landscape values mean in practice. This is undertaken through addressing landscape assessment, more specifically analysing how landscape character assessment (LCA) represents a critical point in the framing of landscape values. Through a synthesis of research on landscape values I examine the underlying logic of the LCA documents. I conclude that the values communicated in these assessments tend to be those of ‘objective’ outside experts, predominantly based on aesthetics and focusing on the physicality of landscape. This I argue leads to a questioning the legitimacy of the LCA approach.     

毕加索的记忆——巴塞罗那当代立体主义景观设计

本文回顾了立体主义的艺术特点及其对20世纪初现代景观设计的影响,在介绍了毕加索立体主义绘画的艺术时期和他与巴塞罗那的密切关系后,以巴塞罗那典型景观设计项目为例,分析了立体主义艺术影响当代景观设计的特点,包括：从多视点角度分析和设计空间,运用三角形等几何图形分割和联系空间,大胆运用红色等高纯度色彩,立体主义为当代景观设计带来了很有价值的新设计思维。     

三维可视化技术在公路景观评价中的应用

针对传统的公路CAD设计模式在道路的景观、线形、安全的评价上有很多缺陷,探讨了三维可视化技术在公路景观评价中的应用和前景,并详细介绍了公路实时三维可视化系统的实现过程,实践证明了该技术的可行性。     

Key concepts in a framework for analysing visual landscape character

A transparent and theory-based scheme for analysing visual character is presented. Based on a literature review, nine key visual concepts are identified: stewardship, coherence, disturbance, historicity, visual scale, imageability, complexity, naturalness and ephemera. The nine visual concepts are presented in a framework of four levels of abstraction, described through the concepts' visual dimensions, landscape attributes contributing to the concepts and potential visual indicators suggested for mapping and quantifying the concepts. Each of these concepts focuses on different aspects of the landscape important for visual quality, where visual quality is an holistic experience of them all. The visual concepts presented are used to describe different characteristics of visual landscapes, rather than presenting a normative value for visual quality. It is believed that this framework can be important for landscape assessment and the compilation of landscape character.     

Key concepts in a framework for analysing visual landscape character

A transparent and theory-based scheme for analysing visual character is presented. Based on a literature review, nine key visual concepts are identified: stewardship, coherence, disturbance, historicity, visual scale, imageability, complexity, naturalness and ephemera. The nine visual concepts are presented in a framework of four levels of abstraction, described through the concepts' visual dimensions, landscape attributes contributing to the concepts and potential visual indicators suggested for mapping and quantifying the concepts. Each of these concepts focuses on different aspects of the landscape important for visual quality, where visual quality is an holistic experience of them all. The visual concepts presented are used to describe different characteristics of visual landscapes, rather than presenting a normative value for visual quality. It is believed that this framework can be important for landscape assessment and the compilation of landscape character.     

从园林设计角度探讨构建和谐广场

主要从园林设计角度的三个方面进行阐述——以人为本、创造和谐园林空间;弘扬社会文化、传承城市文脉;营造生态园林、寻回诗意栖居,探讨如何在和谐社会环境中构建和谐广场,从而使广场设计满足经济、环境和社会三大方面的和谐发展。     

Technology for dynamic viewing and peripheral vision in landscape visualization

The dynamic qualities of looking around and moving about, directly sensing spatial queues, using one’s peripheral vision, and focusing with foveal vision on objects of attention are fundamental to a person’s visual experience in landscape. Unfortunately, the visual media commonly used to structure scientific analysis, professional design, decision-making and artistic interpretation of visual landscapes are quite weak at portraying the dynamic and peripheral dimensions of human vision. Also, visual media whether it be manual drawing, photomontage or state-of-the-art computer animation tend to be time consuming and difficult to apply to these dimensions of seeing. The absence of a convenient, cost-effective means for showing all the fundamental visual aspects of landscape in a balanced way is a serious limitation.This deficiency begs the following questions. Is the current state of knowledge in visual landscape management biased by the relative ease with which established media, such as illustration, photography, and photo-realistic rendering can be used? Do the characteristics of these media bias our perception and thinking about landscape toward static foveal aspects of visual experience? Are our ideas about dynamic viewing and computer animation limited by the didactic frame-by-frame approach characteristic of cinematography and video? Can the introduction of equally robust tools and methods for dynamic and peripheral viewing balance any bias caused by current visualization technology?If McLuhan’s insights about media are correct, then we need to do more research on this question. This paper suggests that the field of landscape visualization needs to develop instruments for research that more fully capture the fundamental components of human vision before we can properly study the question or advance practice. It outlines some ways the next generation of visualization technology can be used to balance the disproportionate emphasis on foveal ways of visual thinking commonly used in the past for the study of visual landscapes. The paper explains this deficiency and proposes some area for research and development of visualization instruments more capable of redressing this imbalance.The paper outlines this issue and proposes that as electronic media and computational media become more developed and are applied to the realm of visual concerns, it will become more practical to include peripheral vision and dynamic viewing in deliberations about visual landscapes. This paper reflects on the potential of visualization automation techniques to overcome these shortcomings through illustrations of project work using innovative software tools developed to explore this question at the Centre for Landscape Research (CLR) at the University of Toronto.