Geodesign Processes and Ecological Systems Thinking in a Coupled Human-Environment Context: An Integrated Framework for Landscape Architecture

Abstract

Scholars from a variety of disciplines have been working to unravel the complexities of geodesign as an approach to tackling a host of problems. We argue that a mature understanding of geodesign requires a systemic perspective to organize the interconnections between ecological, social and economic conditions at multiple spatial and temporal scales. We reviewed definitions and perspectives of geodesign and key concepts of ecological systems thinking to develop a new framework for landscape architecture. We provide the state-of-the-art in geodesign within the context of systems thinking and coupled human-environmental resilience. We show that geodesign is capable to encourage public participation and interdisciplinary collaboration through its systemic planning processes and synergetic technologies. The thrust of geodesign-related research is the emerging paradigm of landscape-based sustainability. While landscape architecture is complex in many aspects, the integrated framework promotes our understanding about its social-ecological potential, spatial-temporal association and resilience of coupled human-environment systems. Based on the findings, we outline key contributions, implications, challenges and recommendations for future research.

Integrating Green-Infrastructures Design in Strategic Spatial Planning with Geodesign

“…Geodesign applies systems thinking [17] to spatial planning and design [18], that is seeking to understand the big picture in territorial transformation dynamics in relation to short-and long-term consequences. It would be reductive to think green infrastructure performance is only due to the correct design of its inner parts.…”

Upcoming Challenges in Land Use Science—An International Perspective

“…This is of even higher relevance, since challenges for land use science called by Future Earth are the co-design of research and subsequently the co-development of new knowledge (Liu et al 2018). Using system architectures as a starting point in the discourse between science and practice reveals knowledge gaps and research needs in understanding specific land use systems and-in the sense of social-ecological frameworks-in generalizing their structure and functioning (Gu et al 2018). The identified "nodes" (i.e.…”

Landscape Design toward Urban Resilience: Bridging Science and Physical Design Coupling Sociohydrological Modeling and Design Process

“…Scholars of urban systems (urban ecology, geography, and planning) have long recognized complex dynamic interactions and feedback as important components to system understanding. Many have agreed with the necessity for integrative approaches to cocreating more resilient (sustainable) urban systems [14,23,28,29]. However, examples of applications of system dynamics linking resilience science and physical practices (i.e., physical planning and design) are extremely limited.…”

“…Steinitz suggests that Geodesign can be an effective instrument that creates design proposals and simulates design impacts with geospatial technologies [30]. The concept of Geodesign has recently been expanded in the literature with noted applications to a variety of cases [29,[31][32][33][34][35]. Dangermond [36] notes that geodesign encompasses multiple disciplines and professions through a common set of geospatial technologies and design processes.…”

“…Dangermond [36] notes that geodesign encompasses multiple disciplines and professions through a common set of geospatial technologies and design processes. Eikelboom and Janssen [33] illustrate the value of geodesign in facilitating effective communication between disparate groups, and Gu et al [29] note that variants of the geodesign process can facilitate complex urban modeling problems.…”