Landscape : Pattern, Perception and Process

✍ Scribed by Simon Bell

• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Year: 2012
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 359
• Edition: 2
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Landscapes develop and evolve through an interacting series of processes - climatic, geological, ecological and cultural - over varying periods of time. These processes shape the structure and character of the landscapes which we experience. Over time, distinctive patterns emerge - ranging in scale from the distribution of small plants to the sculptured sides of a huge canyon. Our perception of these patterns goes beyond just their visual appreciation - beautiful though they may be - into a richer understanding of how we experience our environment. By understanding this complex.  Read more...

✦ Table of Contents

The view from Scarth Nick --
The importance of patterns --
The relevance of pattern analysis --
1. What are patterns? Patterns are all around us --
What are patterns? --
Towards an understanding of patterns in an uncertain world --
Geometric principles --
Review of pattern analysis methods --
Mosaic landscapes --
The patterns of chaos --
Patterns created by people --
2. The perception of patterns. The senses and their use in perception --
Light as the medium of visual perception --
The physiology of visual perception --
The psychology of visual perception --
Processes of pattern recognition --
3. The aesthetics of the landscape. The nature of aesthetics --
Environment and landscape --
What is an aesthetic experience? --
Pleasure as a part of the aesthetic experience --
Beauty and the sublime --
The Aesthetic theory of Alfred North Whitehead --
Ecology and aesthetics --
Environmentalism and aesthetics --
The individual versus universal appreciation --
Aesthetics: integration of perception and knowledge --
Characteristics and qualities in the landscape --
The aesthetics of engagement --
The rediscovered sublime --
4. Design with landscapes. The place of landscape design and designers --
Design methods and practice --
Creativity as part of the design process --
5. Climate patterns and processes --
The spatial patterns of climate --
The temporal patterns of climate since the last ice age --
Climate changes and human history --
The main climatic processes --
Linking climate to geological, ecological and cultural patterns and processes --
6. Landform patterns and processes. The structure of the earth's crust --
Vulcanism --
Mountain building --
Moulding the land --
Relevance of landform patterns --
Analysing landform patterns --
Analysing hydrological patterns --
Design of landforms --
7. Ecosystem patterns and processes. Landform effects on ecosystem patterns and processes --
Vegetation patterns: structure and dynamics --
Natural disturbance in the landscape --
Analysing ecological patterns --
landscape ecological analysis --
Designing ecosystems --
Modelling dynamic ecosystems --
8. Cultural patterns and processes. Early cultural landscapes: hunter-gatherers --
Pastoral landscapes --
Early cultivated landscapes --
The pattern of agricultural development --
Planned landscapes --
Settlement patterns --
Towns and cities --
Conclusions to the study of human patterns --
Analysing cultural patterns --
Planning and designing with cultural patterns and processes --
Modelling urban development --
9. Reclaiming the landscape. How can current political and legislative initiatives for protecting the environment be translated into more effective action using limited resources? --
How can relationships between communities and landscapes be revitalized and how can people in these communities become more involved in developing their own sustainable solutions to the problems they face? --
How can scientific and professional landscape and environmental disciplines be better integrated so that truly holistic, sustainable solutions are achieved? --
Where should the understanding of pattern and process-based planning and design be applied?

✦ Subjects

Ecological landscape design;Landscape assessment;Regional planning -- Environmental aspects;ARCHITECTURE -- Landscape;GARDENING -- Garden Design;GARDENING -- Landscape