Landscape Urbanism and Its Discontents

the long version

Landscape Urbanism and its Discontents explores the debate around two competing paradigms. Landscape Urbanism is conceived as ecological in terms of natural processes, while New Urbanism engages ecology in terms of sociocultural processes. In this collection of essays, influential urban theorists delve into the tension between the two perspectives. While there should be significant overlap between Landscape Urbanism and New Urbanism, the former has assumed prominence amongst environmental administrators and critical theorists, whereas the latter has approached paradigmatic status in the market and among planning professionals. Given that both these power bases are at the forefront of sustainable urban design, the analysis -- and potential reconciliation -- offered by these essays may help catalyze a resolution to the various crises besetting the new century.