Landscape Architecture

Professor Lam Khee Poh named IWBI Global WELL Educator of the Year 2025

FAU study uncovers why pedestrian deaths continue to rise in the US

A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers highlights the role of urban planning in increasing pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in the US. The study reveals that everyday destinations like grocery stores and pharmacies along busy roads significantly increase risk of serious injury or death.

The University of Hong Kong and Nanjing University establish “Joint Laboratory for AI-enabled City Development and Safety Governance”

The joint laboratory will leverage AI to enhance urban health assessments, integrate big data, and develop integrated governance solutions. The research will focus on six core areas, including national strategic priorities and technical bottlenecks in AI and digital twins.

Electric space heating, appliances reduce US residential energy consumption

A study by Penn State researchers found that using electricity for space heating can significantly reduce on-site household energy consumption. The team also identified other factors, such as the use of electric water heaters and construction methods, that contribute to energy savings.

Unlocking the hidden biodiversity of Europe’s villages

A new study by the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research found that villages within forest-dominated landscapes exhibit higher biodiversity compared to agricultural settings. City proximity boosts human well-being, but has little impact on species numbers and diversity.

Study explores how to use AI to listen to the ‘heartbeat’ of a city

University of Missouri researchers create digital sentiment map using AI to analyze public Instagram posts, linking emotional tone to real-life features. The tool aims to improve city services, identify areas of concern, and inform emergency response decisions.

New study finds link between green spaces and police violence

A novel research project found that greener areas have fewer fatal police shootings, particularly in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. The study suggests that higher levels of greenness can reduce violence through mechanisms such as reduced crime, improved mental health, and increased civic engagement.

After greening comes darkness….and it really does matter!

Researchers propose darkening cities to improve biodiversity, human health, and reduce energy waste by embracing nocturnal living. Professor Nick Dunn's 'Dark Futures: When the Lights Go Down' presents a vision for an alternative future that reconnects humans with nature's rhythms.

Could the layout of trees impact human health?

Researchers found that large, contiguous areas of well-networked tree canopies lower mortality risk in densely developed cities. Compact, geometrically simple areas of tree canopy also show a positive effect on health. The study suggests that connecting isolated green spaces and promoting biodiversity can support human health.

Coastal erosion threatens this ancient city — and others much closer to home

A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.

AI-trained CCTV in rivers can spot blockages and reduce floods

Researchers have developed AI-enabled detection software that can accurately detect natural debris, litter, or waste blocking culverts. The system can be integrated to existing CCTV systems to provide proactive flood defense, improving safety for response teams.

How do the characteristics of historic urban landscapes influence public sentiments, and what implications do these findings have for urban planning and development strategies?

Researchers analyzed public perceptions of historic urban landscapes in Shaoxing, China, revealing that different characteristics affect sentiments differently on weekdays and weekends. Urban designers should develop targeted plans to balance preservation with development, ensuring a sustainable environment and people's well-being.

How can new community parks enhance human health in marginalized communities?

A newly developed community park in Ventura, California, was found to increase physical activity and improve mental well-being among residents in low-income neighborhoods. The study suggests that green spaces play a crucial role in enhancing human health in marginalized areas.

Refining waterbird habitat conservation in high-density urban areas through nature-based solutions

A study on refining waterbird habitat conservation in compact urban areas using Nature-Based Solutions (NbS). The project developed a model with six strategies to restore coastal wetland habitats, resulting in notable increases in target species and ecosystem services. It offers valuable insights for ecological restoration across China.

How can territorial ecological restoration of counties be used to increase carbon sinks?

Researchers evaluated current carbon sinks in Wensu County, identified spatial patterns, and developed ecological restoration strategies. The study found that southern foothills have the best carbon sequestration capacity, with proposed strategies to boost carbon sinks by integrating with other ecological goals

Innovative fire stewardship techniques to reshape landscape design to better adapt to and coexist with wildfire-prone environments

This article discusses co-creative strategies for embracing pyric forces in landscape architecture. It highlights the potential of beneficial fire and promotes collaboration with fire stewards to gain insights. Landscape architects are encouraged to become active stewards themselves.

How can intelligent technology and scenario-based operations transform urban neighborhoods into smart, future-ready environments?

This article proposes a pathway for creating smart neighborhoods by integrating intelligent technology with scenario-based operations. It explores how this approach can improve the design, construction, and operation of future urban neighborhoods, providing a reference for China's smart neighborhood construction.

Generative AI tools like Pix2Pix–BicycleGAN are revolutionizing landscape design by enhancing masterplan generation and rendering

This study evaluates the quality of GAN-generated results in landscape architecture masterplan generation and their effectiveness in design workflows. Image analysis and user surveys show high levels of visual realism and preference for color and texture in GAN-generated layouts and masterplans.

Time-division multiplexing planning and design strategies for parking lots in compact cities

Researchers propose a time-division multiplexing (TDM) planning strategy for compact cities' parking lots, balancing vehicle and pedestrian needs. The approach combines technical expertise with community engagement to create efficient and sustainable spaces.

How can site-specific digital twins revolutionize urban design and community engagement?

Site-specific digital twins offer a promising approach to urban design and community engagement by integrating virtual and physical realms, promoting inclusive and responsive development. The concept encourages scalability and specificity in applying DT techniques, facilitating data integration and cross-scale twinning.

Assessment methods for realizing digital urban planning and low-carbon urban design

The paper reviews existing assessment tools for digitalized low-carbon urban planning and design, highlighting their limitations and application shortcomings. The study categorizes and compares 19 assessment tools, focusing on city-scale and district/neighborhood-scale carbon assessment tools.

Researchers use 3D visualization to predict, prevent hurricane damage

Texas A&M University researchers have developed a 3D visualization technology to identify potential outcomes of hurricane flooding before it occurs. This allows for improved safety and reduced damage costs. The technology can also model specific buildings, accounting for basements, back entrances, and windows.

Best of both worlds: Innovative positioning system enhances versatility and accuracy of drone-viewpoint mixed reality applications

Researchers at Osaka University developed an innovative positioning system for drone-based mixed reality applications, enabling accurate alignment between real and virtual worlds. This development will lead to versatile drone-based MR applications in architecture, engineering, and construction.

Designing the demise of Aral Sea: strategies to sustain aesthetics and performance in anthropogenic landscapes

The Aral Sea, once the fourth-largest lake in the world, has shrunk to 10% of its original volume due to water diversion for cotton plantations. The article proposes a new design approach that acknowledges human devastation while slowing the sea's disappearance through ecological markers and materials.

Living with risk: Building the future of resilient cities

The article emphasizes the importance of enhancing infrastructure resilience in resilient city construction. It highlights the need for whole-process, multi-factor, multisystem research on urban resilience as a crucial reference for planning and design.

Ecological designed experiment method based on pragmatism: A case study of Haizhu Wetland Restoration Project in Guangzhou, China

This study employed pragmatic designed experiments to propose a semi-empirical ecological design framework, emphasizing learning by doing and research through practice. The project achieved various degrees of goals, with the enhanced paddy field system and bird island showing notable results.

How a landscape intervention method can be used to address inequalities in electronic waste treatment process?

This study introduces a landscape intervention method to address unequal e-waste treatment, focusing on ecological restoration and local community benefits. The proposed approach combines five concepts: ecological restoration, flood management, stormwater purification, spatial programs, and livelihood income.

Towards hazard-resilience cities: Comparative research on resilience-related policies and local practices in five cities worldwide

This study examines the journey toward hazard-resilience in five exemplary cities, highlighting distinct approaches to addressing disaster risk and building resilience. The research emphasizes the importance of government support, community participation, and cultural awareness in enhancing urban resilience.

Go from resilient cities conference to bold cities. Focus on policies, actions and hot trends in resilient city development

The article explores the evolution of resilient cities to bold cities, focusing on policies, actions, and hot trends. Key findings include multi-level governance, circular economy, nature-based solutions, equal opportunities, and open data capabilities.

HKU remote sensing and landscape scholars reveal global wildfire risk trends in Wildland-Urban Interface areas (1985-2020)

Researchers mapped global Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas, finding a significant surge in WUIs over 35 years, with 6.62 million square kilometers at risk of wildfires. The study provides essential insights for effective fire management and resilient community development.

Be kin with the plant inhabitant: from plant humanities initiative to Plant South Salesroom

The article discusses the author's journey into plant humanities, a field that combines biology and culture to promote plant appreciation. Plant South Salesroom, an action group in China, facilitates public-engaged practices to break down 'plant blindness' and foster dialogue between science and humanities.

Cultural encounters of landscape architects Xiaoxiang Sun and Lawrence Halprin

This article analyzes the work of two influential landscape architects, Xiaoxiang Sun and Lawrence Halprin, to explore their intellectual potentials for contemporary landscape architecture theory. Their theories focus on the role of nature, form-giving, and aesthetic experience in designed landscapes.

A building rising from the hilltop—Three topographical approaches to building in a landscape

A building project reacts to three topographical approaches in a remote Chinese landscape, balancing architectural pursuits with engineering concerns. The project reconciles demands at different scales and functions, promoting an effective dialogue between architecture and its landscape settings.

Space-based landscape site perception: Teaching principles and methods for the basic course of landscape architecture

This article explores the significance of site perception training in landscape architecture, arguing that experiencing sites precedes form-making training. Five methods for landscape site perception are introduced, including sketching, notation, and spatial structure mapping, to provide a visualized pathway for site perception.

Topographical understanding of artificial mountain making in traditional Chinese gardens

The study analyzes artificial mountain making in traditional Chinese gardens from a topographical perspective, highlighting the importance of form, space, and time in creating dynamic landscapes. The research contributes to the development of Landscape Architecture in contemporary China.

Topographies of resistance, resilience, bathymetrical realities, and dynamics of the Mekong and Sài Gòn-Đồng Nai Deltas

The Mekong and Sài Gòn-Đồng Nai Deltas have undergone significant topographical changes due to human activities, leading to loss of ecology and biodiversity. Indigenous knowledge systems and practices have adapted to these changes, showcasing resistance and resilience in the face of imposed supra-order.

Can topography facilitate the refinement of landscape design methods?

This study explores topography's role in refining landscape design methods by analyzing the complex relationships between humans and land. Topographical design can help balance abstract concepts with concrete perceptions to drive scientific development and artistic expression.

Between building and unbuilding: An interdisciplinary design approach to cohabitation, material cycles, and traditional ecological knowledge

The 'Lodgers' project in Fly Ranch prioritizes plant and animal well-being, uses local resources to minimize waste, and incorporates Traditional Ecological Knowledge. This approach challenges contemporary architectural practice and offers a response to climate challenges through cohabitation and material cycles.

Agility in cultural heritage management—Advancing competence within uncertainty as a sustainable and resilient adaptation to processes of dynamic change

This article explores the need for cultural heritage professionals to develop competencies in dealing with uncertainty. It advocates for a systemic understanding of cultural heritage as a prerequisite for sustainable adaptation to current challenges.

A landscape-based approach to urban heritage management: People, spatial biography, and ecosystem

This article introduces a landscape-based approach to urban heritage management, incorporating people, spatial biography, and ecosystem elements. The proposed method aims to develop sustainable human habitats through the protection of place identity and public participation.

To explore an alternative urbanization that is different from the present through historical environment preservation and regeneration—an interview with Aya Kubota

Aya Kubota emphasizes the importance of engaging local residents in historical environment preservation and regeneration. This approach supports the preservation and utilization of 'Legacy of Catastrophe' and presents a valuable alternative to current urbanization methods.

Social impact assessment of the Giant Panda National Park in China: a comparative analysis of the inside, gateway, and fringe communities

A comparative analysis of three communities surrounding the park found that social relations, local culture, and equity and rights were highly valued. However, fringe communities perceived the most negative impacts in all four dimensions, emphasizing the need for government support and attention to non-economic social impacts

Historic urban Landscape Paradigm—A tool for balancing values and changes in the urban conservation process

The Historic Urban Landscape paradigm shifts focus from iconic buildings to city communities, highlighting the importance of nostalgia in understanding the past's impact on present and future development. This approach provides a balance between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to urban changes.

Monetized evaluation of landscape resources of national parks based on the willingness to pay of multiple interest groups

This study found that external groups are more willing to pay for landscape resources than internal groups, with higher payment rates for ecological environment improvement. Demographic factors also influence payment rates, while attitude factors have a greater impact on landscape resource value than demographic or environmental factors.

Heritage corridor routing method from historic urban landscape and digital footprint perspectives—the case of historical urban area in Nanjing, China

This study integrates heritage corridor route planning with public perception and digital footprints, combining physical and social semantic data analyses. By analyzing users' movement flows and online textual data, the research optimizes routes for urban heritage corridors, offering reference to overall protection of urban heritages.

Autonomous excavator constructs a 6-meter-high dry-stone wall

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an autonomous excavator called HEAP to construct a 6-meter-high and 65-meter-long dry-stone wall. The excavator uses sensors, machine vision, and algorithms to place stones in the desired location, achieving a high level of precision and speed.

Images of simulated cities help artificial intelligence to understand real streetscapes

Researchers at Osaka University develop a method to train AI models using simulated city images, reducing the need for real data and saving human effort. The approach generates realistic images with accurate ground truth labels, addressing instance segmentation challenges.

Researchers propose a more effective method to predict floods

A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...

How to improve landscape visual aesthetic effects of street pedestrian spaces in China’s mountainous cities

A study assesses and optimizes the landscape visual aesthetic quality of street pedestrian spaces in Jinan, China's historic downtown, using panoramic images and deep learning methods. The research finds that urban streets with high aesthetic quality serve as corridors among mountains and natural landscapes, improving city image.

COVID rekindled an appreciation of nature for many

Researchers found that people's perception of natural spaces changed during the pandemic, with increased use of rural trails and a newfound appreciation for nature. The study suggests that parks and greenspaces serve as essential amenities for overall well-being, particularly for marginalized communities.

HKU study by remote-sensing and geoscience scholars reveals imbalance in urban greenspace planning leads to severe inequalities in access to greenspace among cities

A recent HKU study found that Global South cities experience only one-third of the greenspace exposure level of Global North cities, highlighting the need for prioritizing greening policies and actions. The research reveals a severe disparity in greenspace exposure linked to differences in greenspace provision and landscape design.

Colorful urban environments, even if just in virtual reality, promote wellbeing

A new study published in Frontiers found that virtual reality environments with green vegetation and colorful patterns increase heart rate and promote a pleasurable experience. Conversely, colorful patterns alone stimulate interest and fascination without the same restorative effect as nature.

Newly discovered ancient Amazonian cities reveal how urban landscapes were built without harming nature

Researchers uncovered intricate settlements in Bolivia's Llanos de Mojos savannah-forest, featuring elaborate structures and a vast network of reservoirs. The cities were built alongside nature, employing successful sustainable subsistence strategies that promoted conservationism and maintained rich biodiversity.

New research highlights the role of green spaces in conflict

Researchers found that green spaces were used as a tool for control and social cohesion, reducing instability in regions. The study highlights the potential of landscape design as a nonviolent means of subduing resistance from local populations.

Seeing ‘green’ can ease confusion, anger in navigating hospitals, WVU researcher says

Research by Shan Jiang found that introducing nature views into hospital corridors can significantly ease confusion and anger in navigating large medical complexes. The study revealed that participants used shorter time and walked less distance to complete wayfinding tasks when exposed to green spaces.

“We play ping pong with the tree”

Researchers at TUM explore the use of living trees in architecture, using photogrammetry and skeleton extraction to design structures that adapt to tree growth. They demonstrate a pavilion with a roof structure optimized to follow the shape of supporting branches.

Report outlines how public transit agencies can advance equity

A new paper in the Transportation Research Record identifies six broad categories of equity-advancing practices that public transit agencies nationwide can widely employ. These practices focus on creating fairer and more just public transit systems, rather than just assessing how service is distributed.

CAPPA students win national environmental design challenge

UTA student teams took first place and honorable mention in the Environmental Protection Agency's Campus RainWorks Challenge with innovative designs incorporating green infrastructure practices. The winning project,

Study finds green spaces linked to lower racial disparity in COVID infection rates

A new study found that counties with more green spaces have lower racial disparities in coronavirus infection rates, possibly due to equal access to health benefits. Green spaces are associated with improved cognitive performance, reduced stress and increased social cohesion.

UTA team working with communities to combat environmental racism, urban sprawl

The University of Texas at Arlington team is working with historically black communities to create maps documenting Freedmen's Towns along the Trinity River and propose design strategies to address long-standing environmental issues. The project aims to combat environmental racism and loss of historic resources in Black settlements.