F E AT U R E
Talking heads – how was it for you? Other professionals discuss how they have – or could – work with landscape professionals.
The Academic Ed Wall is academic leader for landscape at the University of Greenwich and writes on landscape architecture and urban design. ‘While the speed at which technology is developing can seem excessive, new technologies are merely tools that allow us to see, measure and record in different ways – and with which we can develop proposals. It can often feel that there is a dominance of digital imagery in the landscape industry, but there will always be an aspect of training and practice that includes handdrawn work and analogue techniques. We encourage our students to engage with social media, such as the collective blog www.thelandscape. org, in order to showcase their design projects and explore different design processes. In the end you still have to understand the complex physicality of a site by spending time there, and there are limitations to digital – it takes the same amount of time for concrete to dry whether you design by hand or on computer.’
The Client Rose Jaijee was Walthamstow Wetlands’ co-ordinator for Waltham Forest Council and now works as a consultant. ‘Most people’s experience of the public domain is determined by the quality of the spaces they move through and linger in. Yet the design of new spaces that emerge as a result of new development is often an afterthought. A successful project in my view is one that fully integrates buildings and landscape
design, placing an equal emphasis on standards, quality and long-term management. Also key to success is taking the time to understand the existing distinctive landscape character and building on this to create a sense of place and reinforce local identity. Landscape design is fundamental to shaping our relationship with our environment and creating places we want to be in. The process also offers a unique and important opportunity to challenge the assumed divide between cities and nature by creating space for wildlife and access to nature within the urban environment.’
The Planner Katie Wray is a town planner and assistant director at Deloitte Real Estate in Manchester, where she leads on heritage planning for a diverse range of projects. ‘I like to see landscape architects involved in the process from the beginning, although unfortunately this does sometimes depend on when the client chooses to get them involved! Being enthusiastic also really helps. Often we are relying on the landscape architect to bring strong, tangible public benefits to the project through a well-designed landscape scheme. To achieve this, a strong and detailed understanding of the brief and good liaison with the architect and planner, along with the client, is key. When the project is a landscape scheme in itself it is even more important to understand the brief and all the planning objectives. An ability to write well and explain the design development and design intent of your scheme is also very valuable and will make the planner your friend for life!’ 43
