LANDSCAPE AND CLIMATIC

DESIGN
PRESENTED BY
1. Landscape architecture
 It is widely accepted that our climate is changing and that these changes are at and climate
change least inpart.

 Adapting landscapes and places to these changes is an urgent challenge for all those that have
a role to play in the management of the built and natural environment.

 These could have significant impacts upon our landscapes, including: — Intensification of
the urban heat island effect as a result of higher temperatures, particularly in summer, leading
to risks to human health in the built environment.

 Water shortages as a result of reduced rainfall and increased evapotranspiration, affecting the
vitality and productivity of vegetation.

 Flooding, particularly in our built environments and floodplains, as a result of increased

rainfall intensity and increasingly frequent storm events.

 Rising sea levels leading to significant landscape impacts in coastal areas, including
displacement of communities, social infrastructure, biodiversity and alterations to landform
configurations.

 The character of our landscapes, as a changing climate impacts upon environmental, cultural,
social and economic factors which shape this characte
These competing demands require new and regenerated landscapes, in the UK and across the
world, to be planned, designed and managed in a far more sustainable way than is currently
practised. This needs to be based on a thorough understanding of ecosystem services and the
interconnectivity of natural processes and human life.

All of these present risks for landscape in its broadest sense and are of direct concern to the
work of the landscape architect. Through their training and expertise, landscape architects are
well positioned to provide holistic approaches to the planning and management of the built
environment and rural areas.

Recognition of this fact presents an opportunity for landscape architects to shape a renaissance
in the quality of both natural and built environments, ensuring a sustainable future not only for
people and places but also for flora and fauna.

Responding to climate change

 Landscapes that are multifunctional have the ability to provide food, energy, water storage and
flood mitigation as well as providing a valuable resource for biodiversity and promoting health
and well being.

 The holistic approach traditionally taken by the landscape architect to masterplanning,

landscape design and management means that the profession has a responsibility for
environmental stewardship.
Sustainable landscape planning, design and management are essential if we are to adapt our
environments to a changing climate and to mitigate future change.

 In many instances, landscape responses incorporate a range of mitigation and adaptation

principles, with many of these being interlinked and mutually-reinforcing, whilst also providing
wider socio-economic and environmental benefits.

 For example, provision of urban green space will mitigate through carbon storage as well as
reducing surface run-off, an important aspect of adaptation.

 Landscape architects provide an holistic approach to the protection, conservation and

enhancement of urban and rural landscapes which takes account of environmental, social and
economic conditions.

 This approach will assist in mitigating and adapting to future climate change and ensure the
future sustainability of our landscapes and the communities within them.

 The Landscape Institute recognises fully the need to reduce human-induced causes of
climate change. There are many ways, at a range of different scales, in which landscape
architects can play a central role in helping to achieve this.
Large scale intervention
 In functioning as master planners, landscape architects can shape all facets of existing and
new communities to encourage more sustainable lifestyles.

 Fully integrating building and site planning into the landscape planning process, taking
account of landscape characteristics such as topography, vegetation and microclimate and
helping to maximise the benefits of shelter from intense wind and sun while seeking to
incorporate maximum solar energy and water heating benefits.

 Providing attractive opportunities for local outdoor leisure opportunities, also contributing to
improving public health, well being and community engagement.

 Integrating and maximising local food production in the landscape.

The Landscape Institute makes the following recommendations. If realised, the holistic approach
taken by landscape architects to place-making and its role in combating climate change will be
more widely recognised. The Landscape Institute will continue to work with members,
stakeholders and decision makers in order to realise these recommendations.

1. Climate change adaptation and mitigation action plans will be incorporated into planning
policy at national, regional and local levels.

2. Minimum regulatory standards for surface water run-off in new residential development and
non-domestic buildings will be set.

3 .Objective landscape and urban design criteria will be incorporated into the Code for
Sustainable Homes, BREEAM and any future code for sustainable nondomestic buildings that
may be introduced by government.

4. Landscape architects will be appointed in a leadership role on all regeneration projects, both
commercial and public, at the earliest stages of development to ensure that an holistic approach is
taken.

5. Interdisciplinary team-working between design, planning and construction professions will

become the basis for the creation of sustainable places which are resilient to climate change and
will deliver a range of public benefits.
6. Management and maintenance of green space will be adequately funded, reflecting its full
value to society, and should be based on those regimes forming part of the original design plans.

7. Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) will be an essential prerequisite for water
management in new development.

8. Full consideration will be given to the use of green roofs and green walls on all new and,
where feasible, existing development.

9. New housing development will, where feasible, incorporate methods of sustainable food
production.

10. New urban spaces at all scales, both private and public and including streets, will incorporate
substantial vegetation cover where this is possible.

11. Hard and soft spaces at all scales of new urban development will be designed and managed to
be multifunctional.

12. Landscape architects will receive adequate additional training to enable them to continuously
meet the demands of a changing climate.
Climate and city are interdependent: The climate determines how the city is used by its
inhabitants; in turn, the way the city is used by the inhabitants influences its climate. High
temperatures demand cooling, cooling requires energy, energy emits pollution, and pollution
leads to an increase in temperature.
There are, however, simple strategies to prevent overheating of cities, as well as to reduce urban
carbon dioxide emissions. Stick to these easy-to-follow steps for healthier and more sustainable
cities:

1. Implement urban parks and green areas

When air flows through a vegetated area, the plants reduce temperature and increase humidity
through a process called evapotranspiration. Due to differences in pressure, this cool breeze is
able to go beyond the park’s limits, cooling surroundings areas, as well — even small parks can
be efficient cooling sources.

2. Plant street trees

Trees can filter pollutants and dust particles, as well as cast shade, and therefore are of great
importance on urban streets. With regard to shading, a tree’s crown shape is more important
than the density of its leaves. Street trees are a great strategy, as they are relatively inexpensive
and are highly accepted by citizens.

3. Add green roofs and façades

Vertical or horizontal green surfaces on buildings improve energy performance and the
environmental conditions of the surroundings. Annual energy consumption in buildings with
green roofs are said to be up to 16 percent lower than those with conventional roofs.
4. Encourage private gardens
And why not involve local residents in this initiative? Offering green areas may be mainly the
municipality’s responsibility, but in the case of high-density cities, urban gardens can play a
major role in balancing the local climate.

5. Lots of water features

Water can either cool by evaporation or by absorbing heat. Water features are a lot more
effective if implemented on a big scale or if the water is flowing, in movement (like in fountains
or jets). Water features are particularly recommended in high-use areas, such as commercial
streets or squares.

6. Don’t forget rain gardens

Climate change alters rain patterns, so rain water management is a very important matter
nowadays. Promote the use of permeable pavements and storage infrastructures, which are
beneficial strategies in case of both drought and flooding.

7. Pay attention to street width-height ratio

This step is closely related to the previous one. Street width-height ratio (known as canyon
geometry) influences airflow patterns, increasing or reducing wind speed. Ventilation is a great
passive cooling strategy, as it also contributes to the dispersion of suspended particles and
polluting gases.
8. Design the urban geometry carefully
Building density and geometry influence the amount of solar radiation that reaches buildings
and surfaces, which can store heat and therefore increase temperature both indoors and
outdoors. Although buildings cast shade, this is not an excuse to fill a city with skyscrapers —
there are other preferable shading strategies, such as through vegetation and movable shading
devices that can be removed in winter

9. Use permeable pavements

Evaporation in urban areas is decreased because of waterproofed surfaces. Permeable materials
and vegetation allow cooling by evaporation, so avoid the use of hard materials, which
accumulate heat.

10. Choose smooth and cold-colored materials

Rough and dark-colored surfaces absorb more solar radiation than smooth, light-colored, and
flat surfaces. Therefore, due to the material’s properties, the latter is preferable in hot climates.

As we have seen, the relationship between climate and city is interdependent. Achieving a
healthy balance is a major challenge for urban planners and landscape architects, especially in
the current context of uncertainties regarding climate change. But there are simple and effective
design strategies we can use.
It is important to emphasize that, when dealing with urban scale, strategies applied individually
do not work, due to the complex interactions among city elements (so don’t forget that the
techniques must go together for relevant results).