Landscape – Great Idea! X-LArch III - Department für Raum ...

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Fig. 2: Initial overall pictures were drawn and lead to relevant research questions about urban landscapes
developing dynamic models for dynamic, land-shaping
processes in the form of “landscape machines”. This
made it easier to show more clearly how one could work
with the water-land dynamic and how new artificial-natural
landscapes emerge: a sediment park, an new string
of islands in the mouth of the Elbe and new floodland
(Stokman et al. 2009).
Conclusion
In the action-oriented, idea-focussed approach to design
described here I see an extremely productive approach
to be used in practical application and research to
develop future-oriented solutions for complex urban
landscapes. To this end, a certain amount of courage to
get involved in open creative processes is essential, both
on the part of the initiators of such activities as well as
the respective participants (whether they be students, researchers,
workshop participants, government authorities
or office staff). Initiating design processes for large-scale
problematics requires intensive preparation, extensive
knowledge in handling complexity and promoting creative
processes. Creativity does not normally emerge by itself
and is more than just ingenuity.
written word. The visual culture constitutes a new branch
of science and still requires a lot of research. Design as a
way of gaining insight requires accepting that results often
remain partly subjective and cannot be fundamentally
generalised, but in their contexuality generate knowledge
that goes beyond any one particular project. (Prominski
2003; Seggern/Werner 2008).
Implementing the desribed approach in planning practice
requires a openess for designing particulary in the largescale
sector and a recognition that the terms of reference
have to be developed spatially and do not result
directly from programs and the formulation of objectives.
The approach of design with its open-ended results is
necessary, particularly at the beginning of planning and
project processes. With good will, courage for result
open processes, valuation of creativity (Kunzmann 2004)
productive ideas for a sustainable development of urban
landscapes are endless, we just need ways to create
them!
Without a doubt, the approach described here also has
limits and risks. Making a space or a topic accessible
through an early search for ideas without long, extensive
analyses means focussing questions “only” on conceivable
interpretations and possible impulses to act, and not
on complete, objective identification and consideration of
all possible solutions. It is however exactly this completeness
that is not feasible, and therefore we need ways
that, in view of the big questions regarding spaces – from
globalisation to climate change – give us the capability
to act. To be sure, the path from an initial idea towards
an elaborated design project is long and always iterative.
Apart from understanding, intuition and initial ideas it
requires plenty of rational knowledge, thorough working
through, examinations, negotiations and much more in
order to build ideas on firm ground.
One risk that can be identified is that pictures (for third
parties) cannot be grasped in their entirety and elude
attempts at a fully objective understanding or evaluation.
The reading and interpretation of illustrative results
require abilities other than an acquaintance with the