LDA 201/Spring 2007
UCD/ Mark Francis
Graduate Seminar in
THEORY & PHILOSOPHY OF THE DESIGNED ENVIRONMENT
This introductory graduate seminar will examine some of the major theories and ideas
of environmental design and planning. The epistemology of design will serve as a
framework to evaluate critical theory in modern landscape architecture, planning, urban
design and architecture with special attention on landscape theory. Normative theories
of design and planning will be reviewed along with relevant theories from the social and
environmental sciences. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical ways of looking
at ideas advanced by influential designers and social scientists concerned with design.
Particular attention will be paid to the differences between what designers say and do.
TOPICS
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The development of critical theory in environmental design
The theories of major designers and social scientists
Epistemology of design
Modernist and post modernist theories
Shifting paradigms in environmental design
The role of the behavioral and natural sciences in design
Environmental and landscape meaning
Sustainable landscape theory
Place-based and vernacular approaches to environmental design
Cognition and environment
Application of theory to design practice
Integrate theory
Future theoretical directions in environmental design
FORMAT
The seminar will consist of selected readings, discussion and lectures on environmental
design theory and philosophy. The format will be informal and discussion encouraged.
SCHEDULE
The seminar will meet Fridays from 1 to 4 PM in 202 Walker Hall. In addition, there will
one all day field trip scheduled.
ENROLLMENT
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Graduate students in Community Development, Landscape Architecture, Geography,
Transportation, Ecology and Environmental Horticulture Graduate Groups. Enrollment
of undergraduates will be on a space available basis.
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READINGS
Readings will be drawn from three primary texts covering architecture, landscape
architecture and urban design. Additional readings will be the journals Landscape
Journal, Environmental & Behavior, Places, Journal of Architectural & Planning Research, etc.
The following texts will be available for purchase at the UCD Bookstore:
Swaffield, Simon (Ed.). Theory in Landscape Architecture: A Reader. Philadelphia:
University of Pennsylvania Press. 2002. Paper. (Required)
Corner, James. Recovering Landscape: Essays in Contemporary Landscape Architecture. New
York: Princeton Architectural Press. 1999. Paper. (Optional)
Lynch, Kevin. Good City Form. Cambridge: MIT Press. 1981. Paper. (Optional)
ASSIGNMENTS & REQUIREMENTS
Short written exercise will be required utilizing the readings for the course. A final
paper on a theoretical topic of interest will be required and is due the final week of the
course.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE
April 6
Introduction & Overview
What is theory? Why is theory important in environmental design?
Journal reviews handed out
April 13
The development of critical theory in environmental design
Epistemology of design
Architectural theory
Discussion of Journal Reviews
Journal Review Due
April 20
Theories of major designers and social scientists
Urban design theory
Discussion of short paper on theory of a major designer/social scientist
April 27
Landscape architectural theory
Significant landscape architects and their theories
Environmental and landscape meaning
Discussion of short paper on theory of a major designer/social scientist
Comparison paper due
Final Paper Proposals Due
3
May 4
All Day Field Trip
May 11
Methods of landscape inquiry and criticism
The role of the behavioral sciences in landscape architecture
Environmental psychology
Cognition and environment
Environmental perception
May 18
Shifting paradigms of environmental design
Ecological/Sustainable landscape theory
Guest: Prof. Rob Thayer
Presentation of final papers
May 25
Application of theory to practice
Seminal landscape architecture projects
Presentation of final papers
June 1
Summary: Toward integrated theory in landscape architecture
Future theoretical directions
Presentation of final papers
Final papers due
4