Rebecca Messner looks at the groundbreaking work being done by the present generation of landscape architects, and wonders why the only one most people can name died more than a century ago.
Of course, unable to shake his indelible impact, Messner begins her effort to raise the profile of the present generation of landscape architects by "geeking out" on Frederick Law Olmsted for several paragraphs.
With historical perspective out of the way, Messner turns her attention to today's urban parks, which "are changing the way people interact with cities, just as Olmsted's were." Paying particular attention to projects by Nelson Byrd Woltz, AECOM, and James Corner Field Operations, designers of the High Line, she finds that "suddenly, urban parks are cool again, and not in the way they've always been (It's springtime, let's have lunch in the park!) but in a way that makes the act of actually designing them look really impressive and hip."
Noting the love-hate relationship between the current crop of landscape architects and the ever-present shadow of Olmsted, Messner believes that "the more this new guard of landscape architects tries to distance themselves from Olmsted, the more, in the end, they resemble him."
FULL STORY: The new revolutionaries: Landscape architects reinvent urban parks
Anatomy of a Shortlist: Chasing the Design for Dix Park
Raleigh, NC has hopes for turning 300 acres of land near its downtown into a beautiful park. Elite landscape architecture firms are eager to help, and selecting the right one for the job won't be easy.
An In-Depth Look at One of America's Preeminent Landscape Architects
The Atlantic's Eric Jaffe centers on James Corner's latest work in Cleveland's Public Square, and goes to describe his other well-known projects, including the High Line, and transformations of public parks and urban spaces throughout the country.
The Burden of Frederick Law Olmsted
Mark Hough laments the chronic, debilitating inferiority complex afflicting Landscape Architects and the crutch that Frederick Law Olmsted provides.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service