Landscape Architecture and Economics

As commissioned projects—and even those self-generated—all landscape architecture reflects the workings and influence of one or more economic systems. Whether propelled or limited by the resources of the client, by the intended use of the landscape, or the financial status of those who will use it, designed landscapes are rooted inherently in finance, overtly or covertly. The 2011 Landscape History Chapter symposium welcomes submissions that investigate the subject of the designed landscape and economics from a variety of perspectives, from all periods in history, and from all cultures. However, primary emphasis should be placed on designed landscapes rather than cultural landscapes or planning projects.

Subjects might include (offered only to illustrate the range of potential topics): What was the role of forest production in the making of the English landscape garden or in other garden traditions? How did labor figure in the making of landmark gardens, parks, and suburbs? How have particular designed landscapes served colonial industries or in the making of company towns? How were/are landscape architects’ offices organized and what is the effect of that structure on the making of designed landscape? How does “branded” landscape architecture achieve an identity? How have superannuated industrial processes and their landscapes influenced the course of their redevelopment as landscapes for leisure? How have parks and gardens been cast as tourist destinations in and of themselves, either as ephemeral garden shows or expositions, or on a more permanent basis? Of course, these are only a few suggestions.

Please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words no later than September 15th to both Sonja Duempelmann at sduempel@umd.edu and Marc Treib at mtreib@socrates.berkeley.edu. Accepted speakers will be notified by October 1, 2010, with drafts of the full papers (maximum of 2,000 words) due January 15, 2011.