A Master Plan for Courthouse Village - College of Humanities and ...

Landscaping/Buffering/Screening
Landscaping is an important element to incorporate into the design fabric of a
place. Landscaping elements are often used to buffer or screen out less
desirable features, such as garbage receptacles, power supply units and parking
lots. Landscaping may take the form of natural vegetation, such as trees, bushes
or other flora. Or it may come in the form of man-made devices, such as walls or
fences. Proper attention should be given to applying these devices, which should
not be unsightly, overbearing, out of place or otherwise detract from the scale
and aesthetic appeal of the area.
Landscaping, especially alongside the road, provides a buffer between street and
sidewalk, as it softens and enhances the pedestrian atmosphere. The desire for
open space may also be satisfied through the effective use of landscaping on
private property, specifically those lots for which there is a greater setback. The
use of landscaping in this way allows businesses and commercial establishments
to contribute to the public realm in a manner similar to the function parks and
other public land provides.
Figure 21: Good use of landscaping elements to soften and buffer
A Master Plan for Courthouse Village Page 61 of 96
Spring, 2006
Goochland County