Landscape urbanism facts for kids

Landscape urbanism is a way of thinking about how we design and build our cities. It's a newer idea that started in the late 20th century. Instead of focusing mostly on designing buildings and streets, landscape urbanism suggests that the best way to plan a city is by focusing on its natural features and green spaces, like parks, rivers, and open areas.

This idea became popular in the mid-1990s. Many people see it as a different approach from "New Urbanism", which often focuses on creating traditional, walkable towns with clear boundaries between buildings and nature. Landscape urbanism, however, tries to blend nature and city life together.

What is Landscape Urbanism?

Landscape urbanism is a fresh approach to city planning. It suggests that instead of starting with buildings and roads, we should begin by designing the natural parts of a city. This means thinking about:

• Green spaces: Parks, gardens, and open fields.
• Waterways: Rivers, lakes, and canals.
• Natural systems: How water drains, how plants grow, and how wildlife can live in the city.

The idea is that these natural elements can help shape how the city grows and how people use it. For example, a large park can become the center of a neighborhood, or a river can connect different parts of a city.

Why is it important?

Landscape urbanism offers many benefits for cities and the people who live in them:

• Better environment: Creating more green spaces helps clean the air, manage rainwater, and support local wildlife.
• Public spaces: It creates more places for people to relax, play, and meet outdoors. Think of beautiful parks or riverfront paths.
• Flexibility: Landscapes can change and adapt over time more easily than buildings. This makes cities more flexible and ready for future changes.
• Solving city problems: It can help with issues like flooding (by creating areas for water to collect) or heat (by adding more trees for shade).

History of the Idea

The term "landscape urbanism" first appeared in the mid-1990s. It grew out of discussions about how modern cities were developing and whether traditional city planning was still the best way forward. Some thinkers felt that focusing too much on buildings had led to cities that weren't very green or pleasant for people.

In 2008, the first major international event focused on "Landscape Urbanism" took place. It was called a Biennale (which means an event that happens every two years) and was held in the city of Bat-Yam in Israel. This event explored how landscape urbanism could offer new solutions for city design, especially when compared to ideas like "New Urbanism."

Examples of Landscape Urbanism

While landscape urbanism is a theory, you can see its ideas in many real-world projects. These projects often transform old industrial areas or neglected spaces into vibrant green corridors or parks that become central to city life.

One famous example is the High Line in New York City. This project turned an old, elevated railway track into a beautiful park filled with plants, walkways, and art. It shows how a piece of old infrastructure can be reused to create a new green space that connects neighborhoods and offers a unique experience for people.

Related pages

• Urban design
• Landscape architecture

Images for kids

• 

  Street view of the High Line from 15th Street and 10th Avenue in Chelsea, Manhattan.

In Spanish: Urbanismo paisajístico para niños