A Combined Design Approach for Integrating Habitats in Mixed-Use Development

Abstract

This study contemplates the role of landscape architects in integrating habitats and advocates a new framework to integrate habitats in urban environment. The literature shows two types of design approaches that have been explored for protecting or restoring habitats: landscape-specific approach and organism-specific approach. As each approach has its own strength and weakness, this study suggests a combined design approach using both landscape and organism concerns. The combined design approach is applied in one hypothetical site in the Portland metropolitan area to demonstrate how habitats can be integrated into mixed-use development by innovative design. Accounting for site factors, the site design creates and integrates three habitat types: riparian forest habitats, human habitats, and habitats for Pacific tree frogs. Landscape and organism concerns complement each other in the design solution.