With urban areas having to deal with a steady growth in housing complexes, commercial structures, slum clusters and spiralling traffic in almost all cities of the country the challenge for Landscape Architects is truly daunting. With government facilities devoid of structural planning our construction industry faces challenge in developing outdoor environments. Landscape architects are concerned with the planning , design and construction of the outdoor environment.
They plan and design parks, highways, housing complexes, commercial centres, parks and plazas, recreation facilities and nature conservation areas. They work upon any project to integrate functionality and aesthetics with nature. Landscape architecture is not purely an aesthetic exercise but it blends scientific, architectural and engineering skills. A project, be it a housing project, recreation facility, an educational institution, an industrial outfit or an urban project requires planning and design for the best use of spaces to complement the natural surroundings and preserve its beauty.
Landscape architects design these areas to make them functional, beautiful and compatible with the natural environment planning. The location of buildings, roads and walkways and the arrangement of flowers, shrubs and trees are planned by landscape architects. Natural resource conservation and historic preservation are areas which landscape architects may apply their expertise. They also may redesign streets to limit automobile traffic and to improve pedestrian access and safety.
Nature of Work
Landscape Architects need to be involved from the very beginning of a project so that they may make suggestions and due alterations can be made at the inception of a project. Landscape architects work on specifications of a project. The work begins with the study of the site, its slopes and elevations, natural environment, soil and existing utilities, direction of sunlight and other relevant factors etc.
Landscape Architects have to coordinate their work with engineers, architects, city officials, zonal experts real estate agents and the horticulturists to develop a complete understanding of the job. The scientific knowledge required is of horticulture, geology, soil science, ground and weather conditions. Technological considerations of materials is required for deciding their durability.
The evaluation of a project is followed by the preparation of working drawings giving details of the layout, new topography, materials and method of construction of terraces, walkways, steps and other landscape amenities etc. Landscape architects may use computer aided design systems for preparing their design or video simulation as a tool, to help clients envision the landscape architect’s ideas. In planning a site, landscape architects have to consider the nature and purpose of the project and the funds available. At this stage the clients are consulted, financial specifications and estimates for work are approved. Construction and landscaping firms are appointed to carry on the work with the specifications. Landscape architects generally oversee the work as the client’s representatives.
