Landscape architecture has the power to change the way we live for the better, writes Kerry-Ann Augustin
THE power nature has over the human psyche is undeniable. If there is one group of people who know and live this, it’s landscape architects. They often prove this point by referring to a paper by environmental psychologist Roger S. Ulrich. For nine years he studied surgical patients; one group had a window facing a brick wall, and the other a small group of trees. The group with the view of the trees recorded shorter stays, more positive responses, lesser or minor post-surgery complications and needed less painkillers than patients in the room facing a brick wall.
In April every year, members of the profession celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month to commemorate the efforts of their comrades whose vision goes way beyond the building.
On April 9, Malaysia will celebrate our nation’s best at the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards at One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
MORE THAN GREEN FINGERS
“There’s a misconception that all landscape architects do is plant trees,” says Sabarudin Buang, the vice president of the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM). He breaks into laughter almost simultaneously with Juita Wan Hashim, the director of landscape design firm Verona Design and winner of ILAM’s Young Landscape Architect Award. “Yes, it’ so much more than that,” echoes Juita.
The two are almost unstoppable; finishing each other’s sentences like a tag team when talking about their biggest passion. “I think we all see landscapes around where we live and work, but not many are aware that a lot goes into it. I always say, landscape architects design the whole world!” she says in reference to every aspect of design at the perimeters of a building. “Everything outside the building, that’s all under us,” she adds gleefully.
There are a handful of landscape architects in the country, and even fewer still that understand the role these craftsmen and women have played in the country’s development — something which has remained a source of frustration for those in the vocation. But their grievance is a sentiment shared by landscape architects around the world.
“Although there are technically three professions who can prepare site plans, landscape architects have one of the most extensive training programmes to do exactly that,” writes Terri-Ann Hahn, a landscape architect in the United States. “Instead of structural steel classes or mechanical engineering calculations, the typical landscape architecture programme includes classes on human behaviour, regional-level design, ecology and other arts and sciences that affect our built and natural environment,” she adds.
Juita concurs with the view and explains that even in Malaysia, landscape architects are responsible for the master planning of towns and cities as well.
PLANTING A FUTURE
“Landscape architects, technically, should usually be the first on the site,” Sabarudin shares. “We have to look at how the structure will fit in to the environment and what natural resources are available in the area,” he adds, noting that they also have to look into other elements such as streams and the species of flora which are native to the environment where development will take place, including the islands and marine parks off the Malaysian coast.
“We often work with people from different backgrounds when we kick start a project — biologist, environmentalist, hydrologist etc. We can’t just plant a plant that’s not native to the land because some species may ruin the ecology of the place.”
It’s not entirely surprising that many developments go ahead without consultation with landscape architects; it is after all relatively new in Malaysia. “It took our country a while to understand the importance of landscape architecture,” says Sabarudin, who in 1996, was among the first batch of graduates in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s landscape architecture course. “Landscape was viewed as something simple, just a garden. But now there’s more awareness on the psychological and environmental effects a good landscape produces, so the demand for landscape architects who are more specialised and have better product knowledge is increasing.”
HEALING SPACES
The importance of landscape architecture may seem new, but laws requiring a development to have 10 per cent of space or greenery has been in our constitution since 1972, under the Planning Act. “The 10 per cent can be a park, space or an external area. Under the law, the plan will not be approved if they don’t have a 10 per cent area of green space,” Juita explains.
Sabarudin is quick to chip in that although implementation and enforcement of the law is not always at its most stringent, compared with our neighbours Singapore, the more vital reason for the 10 per cent has everything to do with creating a healthy, harmonious community.
“Children need space to play. Look at PJ. How many areas are suitable for kids? All you see is parking lots. The kids need space to run around and interact with nature. So our role now as landscape architects is evolving.
“Now when we look at a project we think of how we can use landscape architecture to make positive changes in people,” he says, adding that Malaysia is now slowly looking into sensory gardens, where children are exposed to the sense of smell, sight and touch to develop their growth.
Much like Ulrich’s, studies have shown, landscape architecture around the world, as Juita points out, is gaining more prominence as a compulsory component of development. “Developers sometimes think about landscape as a selling point to enhance the property value. But the reality is that small area of green provides space for social interaction. We live in an age where we are so busy. Having a park in the neighbourhood, for instance, allows people to mingle, interact or connect with your neighbours,” says Juita, who has also worked on projects involving landscaping in hospitals. “It’s amazing what it does for patients. So we plant tress that attract birds and butterflies, we play with colours of flowers, have water features and so on. Malaysia is just starting to see how it can heal or help patients deal with whatever they are going through.”
LOVE OF LANDSCAPE
Kuala Lumpur has been hailed by landscape architect Dastin Hillery as an example of a city where greening masterplan will shape future communities. “A huge team was appointed to look into the landscape of Putrajaya,” says Sabarudin.
He continues, beaming: “It took 15 years to complete most of it and part of it is still ongoing,” he says in reference to the government precincts and housing areas. But both Sabarudin and Juita agree that one of the best examples of great landscape architecture sits in the heart of The Big Apple. Adds Sabarudin: “Central Park was conceived by the Father of Landscape Architecture Frederick Law Olmsted. When he thought of designing the park, it wasn’t just about how it would look superficially. It was also about functionaliy, community and nature. Most of the developers now are more aware of the green effect.”
He cites Sime Darby as a good model. “They have an ISO that they have to follow as far as suitability goes. They have a smart partnership with ILAM at the moment, where we are studying which type of sustainable species of forest and trees which can be planted in their development. Once it is finalised, they will use it as a guideline for all their developments,” he confides, adding that smart partnerships like this could mobilise a whole community by bringing sustainable practices, nature and people together.
Julita chips in: “We think once developers, private institutions, government agencies etc. become more aware of the effect that landscape has on a space and the people inhabiting them, they will be less inclined to look at it from a superficial level.”
Concluding, she confides: “We have a long way to go but hopefully we can create the awareness of the relationship between the land and the people. Landscapes can make a positive difference to the way we think, feel and live.”