Ingenuity Magazine Summer 2021

updating existing plans or even adopting new plans that emphasize the natural environment. Enhancing Quality Of Life Landscape architects have long played a major role in creating healthier, more livable communities within dense urban areas. The discipline, emerging in the mid-1800s and gaining momentum at the height of the industrial revolution, has historically responded to development that threatens the quality of life for residents. That tradition continues at Pond. Whether designing pocket parks that are only a few hundred square feet in size or developing county-wide planning studies involving parks, streetscapes and greenways, our Landscape Architecture team is passionate about integrating ecologically sensitive design into communities of all sizes. The designs we create do more than merely beautify an area; often, landscape architecture acts as the lynchpin for continued c o mm u n i t y i n t e r ac t i on and t he I n 2017, a published study 1 proposed that spending at least 2 hours a week outdoors was associated with better overall health and wellness. Just four years later, the world is at the tail-end of a prolonged period of isolation and time outdoors has never been more connected to well- being. The increased value of integrating green spaces such as trails and parks into city planning is being recognized by municipalities across the country and has resulted in many of them introduction of places in a city or neighborhood for residents and visitors to create shared experiences and memories. The need for quality landscape architectural design has come into even sharper focus by the current social and physical challenges facing communities. With the surge in popularity of townhome and apartment communities with limited outdoor space, public greenspaces may serve as the only opportunity for many residents to enjoy nature. Likewise, these spaces have become important social gathering spots, often serving for individuals of differing cultures, socioeconomic classes, and viewpoints as their only community commonality and offering the opportunity for diverse viewpoints and traditions to intermingle in a positive setting. The importance of public spaces and their relationship to building bridges between diverse communities has been further amplified by the Covid-enforced isolation still affecting many individuals and communities, hindering the ability of diverse groups to congregate. Hidden Benefits The wide-spread impacts that sensitive landscape architecture can bring a community are undermined by the perception that it involves merely horticultural design. While the plants we bring into spaces can help define their use and feel, they are not the only things that create the well-loved spaces Pond is known for creating in the communities we serve. While Cabbagetown Park, in Atlanta, is a popular place for families to stroll through, walk their dog, or have a picnic, it is also the perfect base for Chomp and Stomp, a unique annual bluegrass and chili festival. How Landscape Architecture Is Improving Our Communities — And Our Health The need for quality landscape architectural design has come into even sharper focus by the current social and physical challenges facing communities. 8 Pond | www.pondco.com