Sustainable urban landscaping

DEFINING SUSTAINABILITY

WHAT ARE SUSTAINABLE URBAN LANDSCAPES?

We hear and read a lot of commentary about sustainable lifestyles and sustainability in business. With all of the recent interest, the definition of sustainability or the practices, or activities that qualify as sustainable are complex and often difficult to define. This is especially true for urban landscapes.

A general definition might include sustainable landscape design, construction, and maintenance objectives that incorporate the principles and practices that contribute to the ongoing and enduring qualities of the natural environment.

The principles that support sustainability should encompass the responsible use of technology, materials, and methods which enhance the urban landscape with minimal input of labor and materials, while reducing negative environmental impacts.

For urban landscapes in Southern California, to become more sustainable there are design, installation and maintenance practices that could be adopted.

With some revisions to current landscape practices, many sustainable objectives could be achieved by:

• Incorporating water conservation.
• Adding storm water runoff capture and re-cycling.
• Managing landscapes in fire prone areas.
• Enabling material reuse.
• Recycling and repurchase.
• Along with other principles that respect and respond to social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

ALTERNATE DEFINITIONS

From Wikipedia:

"Sustainable landscape architecture is a category of sustainable design concerned with the planning and design of outdoor space. This can include ecological, social and economic aspects of sustainability."

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Wikipedia

From the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA):

"Sustainable landscapes are responsive to the environment, re-generative, and can actively contribute to the development of healthy communities. Sustainable landscapes sequester carbon, clean the air and water, increase energy efficiency, restore habitats, and create value through significant economic, social and, environmental benefits. "

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ASLA