Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The worlds cities are currently facing challenges
related to climate change, resource loss, poverty, social
inequality, and technological disruptions. Sustainable
urban planning is crucial, especially with the increasing
global population and urbanization. Cities are the
vital organs that determine the growth and further
development of a region. However, as we are growing
out of the industrial era, Europe is experiencing
urban shrinkage in many places - understanding the
underlying forces behind this shrinkage is essential for
revitalizing cities.
Landscape architects have expertise in urban
development, but there is a lack of understanding about
the term ”landscape” in interdisciplinary collaboration.
The objective is to discuss the relationship between
landscape architecture and urban planning in revitalizing
post-industrial cities in Europe. The importance of
understanding past planning and development practices,
current problems, and coping strategies is highlighted.
The research aims to determine the role and potential of landscape architecture in urban planning to address
urban shrinkage and contribute to sustainable
development. The research is built upon four subquestions:
examining past planning and urban
development, discussing problems arising from past
urban development in Europe, exploring future-oriented
urban planning guidelines, and identifying planning
methods for the regeneration of post-industrial cities.
The research design follows a comprehensive approach
to addressing the challenges of shrinking cities and
outlining the future role of landscape architecture.
The first part provides an overview of the historical
development of European urban planning and the role
of landscape architecture in shaping urban landscapes.
It emphasizes the importance of understanding the
natural and cultural context for sustainable planning.
Part II discusses the challenges in shrinking cities, such
as globalization, deindustrialization, and environmental
changes, and highlights the need for a balance between
human needs and the environment in urban development. The future of post-industrial cities is discussed in the
third part, emphasizing the role of politics, society, and
interdisciplinary approaches in addressing challenges
and creating sustainable and resilient cities.
In the fourth part, a new method called `DLLD - Design
with Local Landscape Dynamics` is proposed. It is a
landscape architecture method for revitalizing shrinking
cities, incorporating insights from past and future urban
development. The method focuses on spatial perception
and performance, allowing for interventions in the
urban system. The role of landscape architecture in
urban planning is discussed separately in the future
outlook, highlighting its potential in mediating between
different interests and currents in urban development.
The ”Design with Local Landscape Dynamics” method
can play a central role in the regeneration of shrinking
cities and become a fundamental field of knowledge for
the future of urban development.