GENERAL « World Landscape Architecture – landscape architecture webzine

Landscape Institute Climate Change Position Statement

The Landscape Institute has published a Climate Change Position Statement, ‘Landscape architecture and the challenge of climate change’.

First Shopping Center by World-Renowned Architect Daniel Libeskind Opens

Westside Shopping and LeisureCentre, an exciting new development designed by famed architect Daniel Libeskind, opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, October 8. What many
years ago seemed a visionary, perhaps even utopian, concept for a new city district of Bern has finally become a reality. In addition to the 55 shops,10 restaurants and bars, hotel, multiplex cinema, fun bath with wellness and fitness center and senior residency, this mixed-use program radically reinvents the concept of shopping, entertainment and living. With its impressive location above the A1 highway, its direct connection to the tram
and the BERNMOBIL transport network, Westside is a meeting place for the whole greater region of Bern and provides a striking gateway to the city.

SOURCE: Studio Daniel Libeskind – Westside: First Shopping Center by World-Renowned Architect Daniel Libeskind Opens.

Street furniture – a balancing act between design and revenue

Street furniture in the modern city is a balancing act between creating revenue stream from advertisers and a clean design element that has good design and function.

As reported by the Ottawa Citizen – Ottawa is currently facing this issue and using a $275,000 study to look at design, aesthetics and function and also a public consultation process which ends in December. Ottawa residents are invited to provide input at www.ottawasimplicity.ca

The Ottawa Citizen has reported “Ottawa landscape architect John Wright says street furniture should be quiet and harmonious, with good proportions and materials. Standard pieces should not be used in key places like Festival Plaza, he adds.”

Read more at the SOURCE: Ottawa Citizen – Mayor launches plan to rid sidewalks of ugly street furniture.

Rethinking The Makeover of Urban Villages – EEO.com.cn

The term “urban village” has often appeared in the media, especially in the newspapers of Shenzhen and Guangzhou (coastal cities in southern China where migrant population congregate). In recent years, a “makeover” for these urban villages has become urgent task for local authorities.

read more @ the SOURCE: Economic Observer Online – Rethinking The Makeover of Urban Villages.

Tsang: HK to upgrade living environment through sustainable development – Xinhua

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Wednesday the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will press ahead with sustainable development, in order to upgrade the quality living environment for residents in this “modern world city”.

When delivering the 2008-09 Policy Address at the Legislative Council Wednesday, Tsang said the local government achieved substantial progress in striking a balance between economic development and environmental conservation last year.

read more @ the SOURCE: Xinhua – Tsang: HK to upgrade living environment through sustainable development_