Landscape and the City: Winter 2014

UC Davis's Landscape Architecture lunchbag lecture series is offered this winter by professor Claire Napawan and focuses on the role of landscapes and environmental design within the context of the city, given the complex socio-spatial, ecological, and economic conditions present. This includes examining projects including streetscapes, public parks, exhibitions, and infrastructure and considering urban ecology, community participation, and design theory as important contributors to the conversation. Urban areas are the sites of escalating pressures given political changes that place greater responsibilities on local government, fiscal challenges for supporting public services, the increased privatization of public services, and impacts of global environmental change. Despite these challenges, living in urban areas is more popular than ever. Through the introduction of multiple projects in cities throughout the globe, these lectures will introduce a range of sites, techniques, and considerations for landscapes in the city.