LA 7910 - Placemaking by Design

Fall. 3 credits.

Limited to 20 students.

P. Horrigan.

Seminar providing an understanding of contemporary planning and landscape architecture design strategies that reaffirm and reclaim a sense of place. Readings and discussions focus on the theory and practice of placemaking as represented in the literature and in built works. Addresses the following questions: What constitutes a placebased design approach and what distinguishes it from other more conventional design approaches? Who are the key players shaping the theory and practice of placemaking?

Outcome 1: Students will be able to understand and define the interrelated theoretical concepts of place, placelessness, place-attachment and place-identity and their relevance to the design and planning disciplines.

Outcome 2: Through readings, exercises, case studies, films and direct experience, students will be able to ask critical questions, engage in discussions and reflect on their understanding of what constitutes place and place-making.

Outcome 3: Students will analyze and interpret their emergent understanding of place in reflection essays, journals and facilitated large and small group discussions.

Outcome 4: Students will learn to distinguish place-based design strategies, methods and approaches and their relevance to contemporary landscape architecture and design practice.

Outcome 5: Students will be able to analyze and interpret how the socio-cultural and physical environment combine and interact to found, produce, preserve and reclaim places.