Emergence in Landscape Architecture

<p>All landscapes are complex systems which are continually changing as a result of relatively simple interactions. This condition of adaption and evolution is called emergence. Related to chaos theory and self-organising systems, emergence highlights the ever changing and developing urban and natural world – and the need to work flexibly within this.</p><p>Just as an aborist must understand the development and functions of a tree in order to fully understand his actions in relation to it, so must a landscape architect understand the ecological functions of a specific terrain in order to appreciate how the landscape will respond to the conditions he establishes. This bottom-up approach is essential when dealing with the natural environment – and, as Barnett argues, the urban environment. </p><p>Covering critically the theory behind emergence in landscape architecture, the author also uses practical examples from international landscapes as a key tool in his mission to explain the basis of emergence and how it is essential to our understanding of both urban and natural systems. </p><p>Ideal for students and educators in landscape architecture, landscape urbanism and architectural theory, this book provides a full discourse on the theory and practice behind emergence in landscape and features full colour images. </p> <p>1. Introduction 2. Narratives 3. Key Concepts 4.Projects and Practices 5. Encounters 6. Propositions 7. Conclusion</p>