CSLA Congress 2020 - Virginia Burt and Sue Sirrs

As Edward O. Wilson states, “Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.” Urbanization continues to increase worldwide and by 2050, 68% of the population is projected to live in an urban environment – every inch of our living and working spaces need access to genuine interaction with Nature. What many Landscape Architects inherently understand is supported by recent research and technology advances in multiple fields including neuroscience, play research, environmental psychology and psychiatry. In fact, the available knowledge of the brain and mind provides plausible hypotheses and emotional responses associated with certain types of spaces.

Evidence-based design is crucial and showing up at our best is needed to face the challenges and explore opportunities as scientific discovery stretches our work. The solutions need space and time, for us to mindfully consider our role and connect with clients, stakeholders, each other. Layers of research and methodologies will be investigated. Key design strategies, personal development methods, and lessons learned will be explored – providing inspiration for people and spaces that embody and celebrate meaningful engagement.