Shaping Towns and Cities with Nature

     A paradigm known as Landscape Urbanism emerged as an urban design superpower and challenged traditional approaches to development. The theory brought new concepts to design like understanding the built environment as one cohesive and interconnected landscape. This ultimately reshaped the way we experience urban environments. 

    Landscape Urbanism is a truly holistic approach that considers the city as a changing life form and ecosystem. The primary principles of the model emphasize the integration of public spaces, natural systems, and sustainability. 

    Public spaces are at the root of defining landscape urbanism. This often comes in the form of green spaces like parks, green roofs, and urban canopies. These public spaces contribute greatly to the quality of life of those who live within the city. Access to nature, recreational opportunities, and a healthier environment all play a role in fostering well-being. 

    The green infrastructure of a city also plays a role in restoring the natural systems that existed before impervious surfaces were laid. Parks, green roofs, and urban canopies are not just an aesthetic addition, they also significantly reduce the urban heat island effect. Air quality is also increased with the addition of green spaces. Green infrastructure plays a role in reducing flooding through water management which mitigates the impacts of extreme weather events. The city's biodiversity increases along with green infrastructure and the implementation of more natural landscapes.  

    Sustainability throughout a city increases with Landscape Urbanism. Spaces are immediately given multifunctionality. Landscapes act to facilitate social interaction, house ecosystems, and their services, and preserve natural land functions like water percolation and management. Less human interaction is necessary for the maintenance of the city which ultimately saves money, time, and resources. 

    Singapore's Garden City fuses nature and urban design effortlessly. The planners of Singapore acknowledge that the city was built at the cost of the tropical rainforest that was where the city now stands. The city went green in an effort to store water and help store and filter the pollutants that come with such a large city. Two-thirds of Singapore's surface is a water catchment area through its roadways, sidewalks, rooftop parks, and water reservoirs. Nature and the skyscraper have developed a beautiful relationship in Singapore. The state mandates green policies and buildings are lush and ever-growing. 

Singapore- A Natural, Growing City 

“How Singapore’s ‘Garden City’ Vision Fused Nature and Urban Design Like Nowhere Else.” Big Think, May 20, 2022. https://bigthink.com/the-present/supertall-singapore/.

A Green Skyscraper and Street

Richardblambert. “Singapore a City in a Garden – a Model for Creating an Integrated Urban Green Walking Network.” Natural Walking Cities -, October 8, 2020. https://naturalwalkingcities.com/singapore-a-city-in-a-garden-a-model-for-creating-an-integrated-urban-green-walking-network/.

    Singapore is a prime example of designers and governments adopting landscape urbanism. Landscape urbanism, as a philosophy, encourages designers to make urban development and landscape architecture a unified and cohesive element. The outcome is beautiful and environmentally friendly. The combination explores everything that nature has to offer.