景観設計にモダニズムが与えた影響、景観「設計」と「計画」の違い、さらに都市計画法制がこの分野の成長のきっかけを作ったことなど、景観設計とその原点である造園術について、誤解されがちな点にも触れながら概観します。景観設計は芸術なのか科学なのかといった議論や、今日の環境主義やエコロジカル・アーバニズムとの関係、地域や脱工業化計画における位置づけについても考察します。
   

• Explains what landscape architecture is and what it does
• Explores both its history and origins as well as modern developments in landscape urbanism and ecological urbanism
• Considers the misconceptions about landscape architecture
• Includes examples of landscape architecture from around the world

  
Landscape architecture plays an important role in shaping the places in which we live and work. But what is it? Landscape architects are involved, amongst other things, in the layout of business parks, the reclamation of derelict industrial sites, the restoration of historic city parks, and the siting and design of major pieces of infrastructure such as motorways, dams, power stations, and flood defences, as well as the planning of parks and gardens. Taking a historical perspective, Ian Thompson looks at both the roots of landscape architecture and the people that established it. 

This Very Short Introduction explores some of the misconceptions about landscape architecture and considers the discipline's origins in landscape gardening. Thompson takes a look at a number of areas, including the influence of Modernism, the difference between landscape design and landscape planning, and the way that planning legislation has driven the growth of the discipline. He also explores contemporary environmentalism, the debate as to whether landscape architecture is an art or a science, landscape architecture in the community, post-industrial projects, and its relationship with ecological urbanism.