Ben Yahr

Yup, the original article definitely lacked a practical solution, it was simply a different way of looking at the challenges ahead. I was hoping the discussion would flush out some more solutions. There is no single solution, but more a thought process of planning that could be brought to many different types of projects. Possible solutions that…[Read more]

Thanks for sharing the link. The author’s conclusion is definitely the point I was trying to raise:

Designers alone can’t bring about a steady state economy, but we can begin to use the economy for sustainable ends, rather than letting the economy use us solely for economic growth. This challenge requires us to simultaneously deal with the daily…[Read more]

Good points Jason. I’m not trying to be alarmist, but clearly there are people who refuse to listen to anything resembling change. A different tone or presentation is required at times.

I also agree that moving up (or making contacts up) the decision making chain is one of the most effective way to have a positive influence on attitudes and…[Read more]

Your response has nothing to do with the article that was linked. So to lay it out another way: our “economy”, every economic indicator, and our contemporary society is based on the premise of cheap oil, and the concept of growth utilizing a finite resource. Eventually the cost of oil will rise enough that it cripples our contemporary…[Read more]

Obviously as times get tougher every professional even close to qualified will be vying for the same work. Secondly, outsourcing will soon be come unfeasible. New technology is certainly hopeful, and cheaper labor costs in our nation are inevitable. I’m just hoping that landscape architects can be at the forefront in addressing these changes. I…[Read more]

“Going green” makes me sick!

Optimize the compromise.

I also missed the chat, but I’d like to share one of the more thought provoking opinion pieces that I’ve read about the economy in a while:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/aug/13/us-e…

I’m sure there is a wide range of opinions on the points that the article (and subsequent comments) brings up, but what I took away from…[Read more]

Why don’t we just plan for a long life?

But, it seems that so many projects are “upgraded” before they are even close to reaching maturity that planning for reuse might not be a bad idea…

I’ve always wondered why there is such a standardized look to LA graphics, from the text to the Leggitt marker style. Not to say that the style isn’t effective. But especially in school, divergence from this style was highly discouraged or even penalized.

These days it is easier than ever to vary the visual style of a computer graphic, yet nearly…[Read more]

Precisely, you can’t do CD’s without landing the job.

Another thought; I can’t speak to larger firms, but being involved with graphics has allowed me to have a very significant role in the conceptual design phase of numerous projects that would have traditionally been designed by the principals.

Graphics are an essential part of our skill set, quite possibly the most important. Graphics are communication.

Most stakeholders do not or cannot think in planview the way that landscape architects and other designers can. It doesn’t matter how good a design is or how completely it reacts to the environmental conditions of a site if the designer…[Read more]

That raises a bunch of red flags for me… It is our duty to put our diverse knowledge and training to use, educate others, and “do the right thing”. Clients cannot be trusted to be the end all of ethics, likewise with government. This is precisely why ASLA has a code of ethics.

Design, land usage, and environmental ethics are one in the same, on every project. You cannot choose to address one or the other. Of course, every project requires compromise. It appears that you are trying to get someone to say that its OK for an economic or client service attitude to trump responsible, innovative design.

Its my belief that the…[Read more]

I just finished reading World Made By Hand and The Long Emergency. My first reaction was definitely cynical and pessimistic, but after stepping back and thinking about it, I have a much better understanding of true sustainability, and a cautious optimism for the future.
I would highly suggest that any professional read The Long Emergency. The…[Read more]

I always used to say that despite being a landscape architect, my landscape was unkempt because it was “like how the pastor’s children are the most lawless”, but I like your analogy much better. I have lots of ideas for my yard, but meeting the needs of the client (my wife) rather than designing for the sake of design has been an issue; along with…[Read more]

my point was quite similar to yours- its very easy to apply these things to ourselves and forget that other people do not do the same. as an avid water sports enthusiast, i almost never carry a pfd- i know i may drown, but i am willing to take that risk. as a dog owner i bring my dog with me to many places posted no dogs- because i know that my…[Read more]

i also think the problem is with the american people, but i don’t think we can be to our own devices and assume that no innocent people will be hurt.

the american people, and especially industry, has a terrible record of doing the right thing, doing it safely, and not infringing on the rights of others. i could see Nick’s day going a little bit…[Read more]

that’s a couple responses completely missing my point, so i’ll try again.

convince me that it is better to continue transporting produce long distances than consuming as close to the source as possible.

then, convince me that transporting produce long distances can continue for the rest of my lifetime-let alone my unborn children’s lifetimes,…[Read more]

here we go again.

i’m all for a good critique, but disregarding unique approaches to future problems because of assumptions based on the endless supply of cheap oil is not cool.

further scoffing at the amount of work required to actually bring ideas into reality is not cool either. i shudder to think where humanity would be if everyone felt that…[Read more]