Folly in Planting Design – Boxwood Clouding

March 21, 2013 — asla staff
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An example of Boxwood Clouding
image: Wirtz International Landscape Architects

Although nothing beats the architectural simplicity and evergreen staying power of a boxwood hedge in a traditional garden design, the element of folly in topiary and ‘clouded’ boxwood hedging is being embraced thanks to the exquisite work of Belgian landscape architect Jacques Wirtz and his firm, Wirtz International Landscape Architects.

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Posted in Planting Design. Tags: Deirdre Toner. Leave a Comment »

Cooperative Housing: An American Dream, Revisited

March 18, 2013 — asla staff
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Columbia Ecovillage in Portland, OR
image: www.columbiaecovillage.org

If, like me, you are already biking to work, growing kale in your yard, and composting your carrot peels, then you may be asking, “What more can I do to address our country’s social, economic, and environmental challenges?”  One answer may be cooperative housing (or cohousing) – a people oriented solution to many of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of typical automobile oriented, single-family suburban sprawl (a.k.a. the “American Dream).  Although much of current US policy and practice continue to favor suburban development, “the times, they are a changing”.

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Posted in Urban Design. Tags: James Hencke. Leave a Comment »

The 2013 HALS Challenge

February 28, 2013 — asla staff
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Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, DC, designed by Beatrix Farrand
image: www.doaks.org

The Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) was created in 2000 to document our country’s dynamic landscapes.  Each year the HALS office at the National Park Service issues a challenge, encouraging landscape architects and preservation professionals to document historic landscapes related to a new theme.

The theme of the 2013 challenge is “Documenting the Cultural Landscapes of Women.

Individuals and groups from every state are encouraged to complete at least one HALS short format history for a cultural landscape related to this theme, whether vernacular or designed, in order to increase awareness of the role of women in shaping the American landscape. The top three submissions will receive awards and be announced at the 2013 ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo in Boston during the HALS Meeting.

If you have not already begun a submission, there is still time to start. Short format histories should be submitted to HALS at the National Park Service no later than July 31, 2013 (c/o Paul Dolinsky, Chief of HALS, 202-354-2116).   All HALS documentation is permanently housed and publicly accessible at the Library of Congress.

Click here for more information: HALS Challenge

by  Jonathan Ceci, Chair of the Historic Preservation PPN

Posted in Historic Preservation, Women In Landscape Architecture. Tags: Jonathan Ceci. Leave a Comment »

12th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement

February 27, 2013 — asla staff
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National Award for Smart Growth Achievement
image: EPA

EPA is pleased to announce that the application period for the 12th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement is now open. This competition is open to public- and private-sector entities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in December 2013.

There are four categories:

  • Built Projects
  • Corridor and Neighborhood Revitalization
  • Plazas, Parks, and Public Places
  • Policies, Programs, and Plans

In addition, the review panel will choose an Overall Excellence winner from those that apply in these four categories.

Application deadline: April 12, 2013. For more information and the official award guidelines and entry form, visit the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement website.

Posted in From the Field. Leave a Comment »

Bike Maps

February 25, 2013 — asla staff
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image: City of Austin

Luckily I have had the pleasure of living in a few cities that find bicycle commuting important and recognize the best way to get people out of their cars and onto a bicycle is to make that step a bit less frightening.  Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC are just a few cities that have taken steps to add bike lanes to their streets and provide maps of these bicycle-friendly streets to residents and visitors.

Usually these map legends point out bike trails, on-street bike lanes, and streets that are recommended for bicycling without marked lanes.  Though helpful for the seasoned bicycle commuter, a first timer may not be ready to venture out just yet.

The city of Austin is taking this to the next step and has developed a mapping system that “prioritizes rider comfort in its symbology.”  The color-coded bike network is “keyed to the real-world experience a person can expect when cycling on any given street.”

Read more about the city of Austin’s bike map on The Atlantic Cities: “Bike Maps That Give Riders the Info They Actually Need” by Sarah Goodyear.

by Deborah Steinberg, ASLA Professional Practice Coordinator

Posted in Landscape Architecture and Transportation. Tags: Deborah Steinberg. 1 Comment »

Goose problems at parks

February 15, 2013 — asla staff
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image: istock.com

Do you have a goose issue in your park, too much poo, too much noise, scaring the kiddos?  Take a look at how the City of Cupertino is going to try and handle their overabundance of geese in City Parks.

Cupertino lets dogs loose to fix goose problem at parks” by Matt Wilson

 

by Kathleen Benedict, Chair of Parks and Recreation PPN

Posted in Parks and Recreation. Tags: Kathleen Benedict. Leave a Comment »

A Case for Cool pavement Systems

February 13, 2013 — asla staff
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Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA
image: Soil Stabilization Products Company, Inc.

Cool pavement systems as a hot mix asphalt alternative is encouraged by state legislation in California.

The Water Conservation PPN is highlighting two ways cool pavement technology save water.  First, reducing paving temperature reduces water evaporation from soil adjacent to paving. Also, plants in close proximity to pavement lose water quickly, when compared to plants adjacent to cool pavements. In addition to positive air quality impacts (carbon, VOC’s, temperature, etc.), water conservation is a good reason to look at new resin based paving technology. This will be explored here through a case study of a project in Northern California: Lake Merritt located in the middle of Oakland, CA.

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Posted in Water Conservation. Tags: Matt Mathes, Samuel Randolph. Leave a Comment »
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