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Conference
2006
Plants as infrastructure
Abstract:
Design
of planting infrastructure
NICK
ROBINSON
The concept of infrastructure
and its relevance to landscape architecture. Infrastructure as large
scale pattern, as connectivity, as foundation. Infrastructure planting
as spatial and habitat structure of the landscape. Infrastructure
provision for development sites may include advance provision of
transport, utilities, and open spaces; should also include planting
and habitat framework.
Current approaches to
planting design in New Zealand - decorative, picturesque, quasi-ecological
and symbolic. It is hard to find examples of planting design that
display strong spatial or sculptural qualities at larger scales.
Most the large scale planting is in the category of re-vegetation
and may establish forest cover, but is rarely planned for spatial
diversity of the planting or within the canopy structure itself.
Comparison of the spatial
approach with the object-oriented approach; the landscape as setting
and place compared with the landscape as object. The role of large
scale, connected plant communities in creating liveable, sustainable
environments.
Examples of inspiration
and precedent in international landscape architecture - historic
and contemporary designers who have been successful with large scale
planting, and sites that demonstrate successful planting infrastructure.
These are illustrated along with New Zealand examples.
Potential of native plant
communities as a palette of spatial structures that employ the diverse
range of distinctive physiognomy for functional and aesthetic purposes.
On a smaller scale, how planting can create intimate spaces developed
from typical agriculture and traditional horticulture including
orchards, olive groves, vineyards, meadows, tree training, etc.
The scope for referring to distinctive NZ spatial idioms such as
kiwi orchards, vineyards, kumara stone gardens, taro gardens, pine
plantations, etc. is explored.
The barriers to achieving
planting infrastructure in New Zealand are considered- economic,
historic, professional, social-cultural.
What if?- opportunities
are described for infrastructure planting in New Zealand - residential
expansion, neighbourhood parks and reserves, acquisition of new
regional parks, focus on urban design in streets and squares, car
parks, commercial and industrial developments, wetland reserves,
botanical gardens.
 Profile:
Nick Robinson is a landscape architect and lecturer with a portfolio
of design and academic work in New Zealand, USA and UK. Nick has
championed the role of planting, seeing it as fundamental to landscape
design and environmental quality at all scales. His internationally
acclaimed text book, the Planting Design Handbook has promoted this
understanding to students and professionals over the ten years since
it was first published. Nick is currently practicing in Auckland
with Studio of Urban Landscape."
Email: nick@landscapearchitecture.co.nz
Ph: 09 817 3788
Fax: 09 817 3789
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