Comments on: Anti-architecture and anti-landscape architecture

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:44:56 +0000

You might be interested in this paper on Early Monumental Architecture on the Peruvian coast published online. (http://www.jqjacobs.net/andes/coast.html)Also the following paper on La Leche flood Control Project. The papers will no doubt confirm your suspicion that engineered ‘water management’ practices have taken precedence over a more integrated approach to the role and potential of water to enhance lived experience within human settlements and urban environments.(http://ponce.sdsu.edu/first_project_report_0802291200.html)

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 06:26:07 +0000

I should have done more research before criticizing the project but, despite the stone pitching, it would take a lot to persuade me that this is a context sensitive design. I think the design is all about water management and nothing about architecture, urbanism, habitat creation etc.

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:19:21 +0000

It would seem that the major concern behind this project is to mitigate the economic effect of floods (an estimated $200 million) of infrastructure and construction (bridges, buildings and roads).

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is funding a study to analyze;

“comprehensive flood control alternative for the La Leche River watershed and will identify the investments needed to implement the project. In addition to flood control, the project will improve water conservation and storage efforts to expand irrigation and potable water supplies in the region.”

The focus of the project funding is economic;

“USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an environmental for trade, investment, and sustainable economic development.”

However, under the definition of ‘sustainable economic development’ an enterprising landscape company could submit a proposal that considers the broader implications of a project with this objective.

Peruvian’s are canal constructors by culture. Many of their ancient civilisations thrived because of this form of landscape intervention. Perhaps there were also landscape consequences in terms of degradation of the environment which are not so well-recorded? It would be interesting to look at this history a little more closely…