Theory & Discorse
Directing the Course | Geeta Wahi Dua
LA 57
While landscape architecture has the potential to transform society and set it on a better, more sustainable path of development, the landscape architect's role and value in addressing crucial environmental issues of our cities is yet to be realised both by the public and by practicing professionals.
With the state of the environment currently on a tragic and steep decline, it is important now more than ever that the profession graduates from addressing individual needs to universal concerns. It needs to adopt a more active role in sustainable designing, conservation and policy formulation pertaining to the state and future of the environment and its natural systems.
Over the last few months, I have had the welcome opportunity to discuss with my fellow colleagues important issues about our discipline, one being the absence of a theoretical base for the practice of landscape architecture in India.

The theory of a discipline, to my mind, refers to a comprehensive narrative of its history outlining various influencing factors and landmark stages, and examples of projects, both in academics and practice which ideally reflect the spirit of each age. It includes new ideas and concepts, ideals of designers belonging to each age and their inspiration. It also includes examples and hence values which have become "tradition" of the discipline, to be looked up to, received inspiration from and carried forward by generations to come. Above all, it needs to have a character, a spirit which guides it through future times.

The theory of architecture in India is sited in context of its history across several millennia. It comprises of a narrative strongly influenced by the social, economical, political and cultural factors of a diverse society. There are exemplary works in history and modern times which have transcended the boundaries to become traditions, while others which represent the spirit of each age. Vibrant vernacular traditions across the geographical regions of the country have cantered the character of the theory in public. It has eternally linked the discipline to the value of universal needs, empathy and past principles while imparting lessons for the future. In many instances, these building traditions are reinterpreted with changing times to suit new requirements, making them an integral part of the contemporary discourse.

 


ISSUE NO: 57
Report
Canals as urban green lungs search workshop 18

Landscape Discourse
Landscape discourse looking in & around

Landscape Discourse
Suneet Mohindru


Landscape Architects
How relevant are we and whom do we serve

Akshay Kaul


Landscape Architecture and Ecology in India
Nikhil Dhar


Reflect | Reassess | React
Charting Futures

Aniket Bhagwat

What Landscape Means
Aruna Ramani Grover

Friends for life
Memories and associations of places and nature

Narendra Dengle

Memory creating identity for landscape forms
Prerana Chatterjee


The need for a national urban open space policy
Saurabh Popli & Dr Sanjeev Singh

Directing the course
Geeta Wahi Dua


'We're not a profession, we're a conspiracy'
Sandip Kumar

Whither Landscape Architecture?
Personal musings and messages

Shishir R. Raval


interview
Re-looking at practice and education

In conversation with Prem Chandavarkar

Role of landscape in today's world
In conversation with Michael Jakob

students' design competition
Nurturing childhood with nature
Landscape Foundation students' competition-2018
Results | Winning Entries | List of Participants


seeing the unseen
Imagined realities

In conversation with Malavika Karlekar

book review
Whither indian urban spaces read and heed
Urban spaces in modern India

Review by Shishir R. Raval

Unsung heroes of the streets: kerbstones
Mehul Jain
























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