Influence of Ian McHarg and Kongjian Yu in Architecture and Landscape Design

Comparing and Contrasting the Influence of Ian McHarg and Kongjian Yu in Architecture and Landscape Design
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Introduction
Ian McHarg’s “Design with Nature,” published in 1969, is widely regarded as a significant contribution to landscape architecture and education. McHarg’s method involves integrating ecological data within urban planning, design, and building practices (McHarg, 1969). Kongjian Yu is a contemporary landscape architect who has significantly contributed to studying and practicing ecological urbanism in China. The creative contributions that Kongjian Yu made to the concept of the sponge city have had a considerable impact on urban planning in China and other areas of the world. Kongjian Yu’s contributions may be found in both contexts (Yu et al., 2011). The most important aspect of his ideas is restoring natural water management systems in urban contexts. The number of times that floods occur and the general quality of the water will both improve as a direct result of this activity. This strategy is in line with the growing emphasis placed worldwide on environmentally responsible urban development and infrastructure favorable to the environment (Steiner, 2014). The text extensively treats “sponge cities,” which involves planning metropolitan areas to absorb and control water through green infrastructure.
Discussion
McHarg’s method laid the groundwork for what is now considered standard practice in ecological city design (John Beardsley, n.d.). Yu’s artistic is based on achieving “harmony between humanity and the natural world.” The outcomes of his efforts have yielded urban environments that are both dynamic and sustainable while also possessing considerable value to the local populace (Yu, 2020). It has been achieved by integrating ecological principles with cultural and aesthetic attributes.
Both McHarg and Yu discuss incorporating ecological elements into urban architecture, a common theme among the two. Nevertheless, the emphasis on different aspects and the context in which each strategy is implemented are distinct (Yu, 2020). The method taken by the person in question was crucial in promoting the development of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, which enhanced the process of making well-informed judgments based on empirical evidence (Czarnecki & Chodorowski, 2021). On a global scale, McHarg’s concepts have been widely embraced and have considerably impacted sustainable urban design practitioners’ approaches.
With his emphasis on ecological understanding, the technique of overlay mapping he developed has become extensively embraced as a regular practice in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and land-use planning (Saunders, 2013). Before moving on with large projects, environmental impact assessments, also known as EIAs, should be necessary following the person’s viewpoint, which is in line with the laws and regulations already in existence (Steiner, 2008). The guidelines currently in effect for ecological and landscape planning have been brought up to date to incorporate McHarg&...