New Landscape Review Issue Highlights Landscape Performance
The November 2024 issue of the open-access Oceania-based journal Landscape Review is devoted to the topic of landscape performance, with a special focus on the connection between academia and practice. The issue includes a contribution by LAF staff on the state of landscape performance in practice as well as an article from the Landscape Foundation of Australia on their Landscape Performance Case Studies (LPCS) program, which was modelled on LAF’s Case Study Investigation (CSI) program. Additional articles provide insights from former CSI participants in Australia and New Zealand about their experiences collaborating with practitioners during the CSI program, as well as more theoretical thinking around landscape performance. With significant contributions from past CSI program participants and partners in Oceania, this issue of Landscape Review is a testament to the ongoing thought leadership in landscape performance emerging from this world region.
Landscape performance in practice: Insights and recommendations
By Megan Barnes (LAF staff)
This article examines the current state of landscape performance in practice based on a series of LAF-convened roundtable conversations between practitioners at eight design firms. The definition of the term “landscape performance” is discussed and examples of specific landscape performance activities are provided. The article concludes by identifying challenges and opportunities and offering recommendations for strengthening the integration of landscape performance in design practice. Full article here.
Connecting Research with Practice to Assess Landscape Performance
By Linda Corkery (CSI 2020 participant)
This article introduces a new research–practice landscape performance model that the Landscape Foundation of Australia developed in partnership with LAF based on the CSI model. She explains how the Landscape Performance Case Studies (LPCS) Program differs from CSI and how feedback will be collected after its first year of operation. LAF is proud to be an in-kind partner, providing support and review for the LCPS program. Full article here.
Interpreting value: Bendigo Hospital Case Study
By Bridget Keane, Peter Grant, and Claire Martin (CSI 2022 participants)
The authors provide a multi-perspective, structured reflection on the Bendigo Hospital Case Study across CSI collaborators – practitioner, student and academic. The paper opens a space for discussion that allows comparison, overlap and divergent positions to emerge based on the authors’ CSI experience. Full article here.
Reflections on research and practice nexus through a Case Study Investigation at Phillip Island Nature Park
By Sidh Sintusingha and Emma Stevens (CSI 2023 participants)
The article reflects on the collaboration between academia and the profession to investigate the Summerland Peninsula Master Plan and Visitor Center Precinct through CSI. The authors note that a good understanding of and respect for each other’s role is critical as is a constant engagement/communication throughout the process. Full article here.
Why landscape architects should embrace landscape performance evaluation - The “market” perspective of landscape development
By Guanyu Chen, Jacky Bowring (CSI 2021 participants), and Shannon Davis
This article explores the necessity for landscape architects to adopt landscape performance evaluation through the lens of George Akerlof’s “market for lemons” theory, which addresses the degradation of product quality due to information asymmetry and a lack of information. The authors argue that by embracing performance evaluation, landscape architects can enhance the transparency of their projects’ performance and contribute to the disciplinary rigor. Full article here.