LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND ECONOMICS
session at the 2012 annual SAH meeting

As commissioned projects-and even if 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. This session 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: 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 to illustrate the range of potential
topics.