International Landscape Convention

The International Landscape Convention aims to create a holistic view about cultural and natural landscapes. Do you want to sign their petition? Read more and decide...

Change.org|Online Petition Template

MA Student Shortlisted for LI Green Infrastructure Competition

A proposal by Scott Badham (in close collaboration with Ian Fisher) reconceiving London's transport arteries as key elements in the city's Green Infrastructure, has been shortlisted for the LI's Green Infrastructure Competition.

[RE] Structure

We have opened a toolbox whose contents fix the separation of anthropocentric and biocentric (Infra) structures, by fusing what at first appear to be divergent conditions of operational activity.

Utilising the key public transport arteries, which define London as a city, these are (re)envisioned both as mobile and grounded elements, which provide direct ecological connectivity throughout the urban structure.

Biocentric “mats” and “sleeves” define this approach. In this example these have been layered on to existing formal elements of public transport infrastructure (bus and the DLR) but are potentially extendable to all public utilities.

In particular the mobility of the bus, with its “mat” of vegetation, specially selected to maximize surface area and absorb particulate (PM10”s) and gaseous pollution, acts as a local and urban infrastructural conditioner.

The “sleeve” is staged as a medium for algal growth, which acts as a biocentric engine, cleansing run off and producing a rich array of by-products, which are looped in to the infrastructure as an unseen element to support further ecological connectivity.

The universal nature of this toolbox reinforces London’s position as a centre of innovation, but at the same time through its application to the local transport infrastructure, provides a unique identity to the city.

Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award

"The IFLA Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award is the highest honor that the International Federation of Landscape Architects can bestow upon a landscape architect. The Award recognizes a living landscape architect whose lifetime achievements and contributions have had a unique and lasting impact on the welfare of society and the environment and on the promotion of the profession of landscape architecture"  (IFLA)

This year one of my highly respected Hungarian professors, Mihály Mőcsényi, has been awarded whose work has inspired hundreds of landscape architecture students, widened our view about the profession, and shaped our way of thinking. 

If you would like to find out more about the Award and Professor Mőcsényi, please visit:

http://www.iflaonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=82

http://worldlandscapearchitect.com/2012-sir-geoffrey-jellicoe-award-goes-to-mihaly-mocsenyi/#.UFgquVQu1br

http://www.toposmagazine.com/blog/sir-geoffrey-jellicoe-award-2012-goes-to-mihaly-moecsenyi.html

Photo (by Sándor Bardóczi): Desiree Martínez (president of IFLA), Dr. Mihály Mőcsényi (Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award recipient, 2012), Ilya Michailov (General Secretary of IFLA)

The National Trust Natural Childhood Report

In the news today there was an article (link here) about the National Trust's Natural Childhood Report. This is about how parents are not allowing their children outside to play like they used to because of fears over health and safety, mainly 'stranger danger' and worries about road traffic. The report says that as a result children are not only loosing touch with nature but their social, mental and physical development is being affected leading to problems in later life.

 I thought this was a very important thing to consider as landscape architects; to create safer streets and neighbourhoods with accessible green spaces, especially important in cities where nature can sometimes be scarce. So below I've done a little brainstorm of some of the points from the report.

 
Sophie Thompson
(More on my blog)

A Perfect Union

The Marriage of Horticulture and Architecture

The Society of Garden Designers are hosting their biannual conference this Autumn, bringing together the themes of horticulture and architecture. With eminent speakers including Kate Baker (Dip. Arch), Patrick Blanc, John Brookes (MBE, FSGD), Andrea Cochran (FASLA) and chaired by Brita von Schoenaich (Dip Hort Kew, MLI) this is a fantastic opportunity. Hearing the stories of successful professionals can be a real source of inspiration as well as showing us the human side and helping us keep in touch with reality. Conferences are a great way to network with kindred spirits who share our aspirations and passion for Landscape Architecture at it's best.

To find out more about the speakers please click here.

© Marion Brenner

Sian Bury - Landscape Architecture Student

IFLA Student Design Competition

IFLA student design competition

IFLA have announced their prestigious annual student design competition. The deadline is 30th November and the title is:

'Redemptive Landscape Architecture'

http://www.ifla2013.com/student-competition/

Students are encouraged to enter. If you would like to, please let your year tutor know and we will try to form a single student team. It would be great if this were possible.

Major changes to Oxford Road

As part of the Oxford Road corridor project, a significant change to access along the university stretch of the road is planned.  All are invited to comment on the link provided in the text below or by attending one of the consultation events. Please make your voices - as landscape architects with a very local interest - heard!

CONSULTATION began this week on major changes to traffic on Oxford Road proposed by Transport for Greater Manchester.

Views are being sought on the ‘bus priority package’ which affects movements around All Saints and Elizabeth Gaskell and prioritises public transport and cycling over car use.
Under the proposals Oxford Road would be car-free from the Capitol Theatre/Grosvenor Street corner, south as far as Hathersage Road, open only to buses, bikes, black cabs, and emergency vehicles.
Car traffic would be diverted along Upper Brook Street, Lloyd Street North, Cambridge Street, and only allowed to travel north along the Mancunian Way section of Oxford Road.
Cambridge Street
Other proposals up for discussion, include cycle lane along Cambridge Street and higher Cambridge Street and new pedestrian crossings at the junction of Cambridge Street and Cavendish Street.
A four-week consultation runs until October 3 when anyone with a view can contact TfGM buspriority@tfgm.com, or alternatively you can attend public events at:
- Monday, 17 September 2 – 7pm at Greenheys Adult Learning Centre, Upper Lloyd Street, M14 4AZ
- Monday, 24 September 2 -7 pm at The Lounge, The Deaf Centre, Crawford House, Booth Street East, M13 9GH.