Diy, Clarisse C.

2010-70251

L. Arch 20 - THY
Oct. 11, 2013
Man and Nature: The Mighty Bond

Landscape planning is not a simple feat, and a lot of considerations have

to be accounted for to achieve a sound design in harmony not only with how
man (the client, the planner, the investor, and the audience) wants it to be, but
also with how it was supposed to be according to the landscapes natural
origins, character and features. Nowadays, in the midst of the movement
towards industrialization and globalization, it seems that most of the time,
environmental aspects of planning and construction are being rushed, and in
worst cases, overlooked. Practicality and accumulation of profits are focused
on. Well of course, such are quite significant; after all, these fuel our
(currently) very capitalistic society. But we couldnt deny that if our society
would continue this attitude of neglect, we would greatly regret it in the long
run. In his book, Design with Nature, Ian McHarg explores and asserts the
idea of human cooperation and biological partnership, the connection of man
and his surroundings, man and nature itself to achieve a connection which will
be greatly beneficial to each other.
Landscape ecology, as the name implies, is the study of landscapes;
specifically, the composition, structure and function of landscapes with respect
to its ecological characteristics. (McGarigal K., U. Mass.) On the other hand,
landscape ecological planning is the planning of the landscape with these
factors in consideration.
This means that the planner must dig in and examine further the
properties of the land, the vegetation, and all the rest of the ecological factors
that could possibly affect the construction and functionality of the design. The
environmental impact assessment is an essential part of the site probe that
should be done before any construction undertakings. Through the
accomplishment of this assessment, experts / knowledgeable people would
be employed to do the evaluation carefully. On the other hand, methods for
flood protection, habitat restoration and other approaches should be in line
with ecosystem-friendly, naturalized landscape design solutions.
McHarg revealed the damaged condition of the natural environment and
held the electrifying promise that landscape architects were instrumental to its
repair. (Herrington S. 2010) In the methods presented by McHarg, he
continuously cited scientific bases. In fact, many aspects of study relating to
the landscape, ecology and architecture stemmed from his philosophies
landscape urbanism and ecological planning etc. The representation of
landscape properties through sectional diagrams and layer exploration is
developed, and several technologies relating to these processes (such as the
GIS) were invented.

Due to the continuing reliance of the present-day society to chemicals, to

technological advancements, and other complicated bits and pieces of life, the
process of landscape ecological planning has generated a number of
disciplines and philosophies for the urban and rural environmental
developments at some point may differ from each other but still aim for a
unified goal for people to get close to nature, and nature to get close to the
people.
Looking through another vantage point, the culture of our ancestors has
actually maintained and taken care of the connection of man and nature for a
long time that is, before the colonialists came and destroyed it. It was not
completely destroyed though, but the outlook of the succeeding generations
of Filipinos has changed so much that the aware and concerned individuals
(in relation to these issues) has been somehow, reduced to a number of
people who study this particular field. As time passes by, hopefully, more of
our countrymen would acknowledge their role in building a strong connection
between man and nature.

References:
1.) Design With Nature by Ian McHarg, 1969
2.) The Nature of Ian McHards Science by S. Herrington
3.) Website: lanscapeurbanism.com