flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Society of Landscape Architects releases guide to resilient design

Codes and Standards

Society of Landscape Architects releases guide to resilient design

The goal is to retrofit communities to better withstand extreme weather events.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | September 28, 2016

Pixabay Public Domain

A recently released online guide from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) explains how communities can better protect themselves from natural disasters through resilient landscape planning and design.

The goal of resilient landscape planning and design is to retrofit communities to recover more quickly from extreme events in the near future and over the long term. The guide is organized around disruptive events: drought, extreme heat, fire, flooding, and landslides. Biodiversity loss is also addressed.

The guide includes hundreds of case studies and resources demonstrating large multi-benefit systems as well as small-scale solutions. It explains landscape architects’ role in planning within design teams to make communities more resilient.

“In an age of rising waters and temperatures and diminishing budgets, the best defenses are adaptive, like nature,” according to ASLA. Some solutions help boost quality of life, as well. For example, green infrastructure designed to control flooding also provides community space and creates jobs.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Jul 21, 2021

Proposal to give Calif. hospitals more time for earthquake retrofits stirs controversy

State hospital association says 2030 deadline should be extended.

Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2021

New York, New Jersey legislatures may revamp bidding rules to promote low-carbon concrete

Contractors would have to certify that their concrete is in compliance.

Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2021

Lack of information on carbon emissions challenges construction industry

Reports recommends whole-life carbon assessments on building projects.

Codes and Standards | Jul 15, 2021

Three drywall code-referenced publications have been updated

Include guidance on fire resistance, sound control, application, and finishing.

Codes and Standards | Jul 14, 2021

Biden’s infrastructure proposal includes massive investment in school buildings

‘Once in a lifetime opportunity’ to upgrade HVAC and other key systems.

Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2021

Reluctance to fund maintenance on older condos is a serious problem

Owner associations defer needed work, putting properties at risk.

Codes and Standards | Jul 12, 2021

Regulations on hydrofluorocarbons reduce roof insulation options

Canada, some U.S. states ban HFC blowing agents used in closed-cell foam.

Codes and Standards | Jul 8, 2021

New York City shuts down 322 construction sites for unsafe conditions

Action comes as inspectors visit more than 2,100 sites.

Codes and Standards | Jul 7, 2021

Bechtel, Nautilus partner on sustainable, high-performance data centers

Facilities would use 70% less power for cooling, eliminate consumption of drinking water.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category

AEC Tech

Lack of organizational readiness is biggest hurdle to artificial intelligence adoption

Managers of companies in the industrial sector, including construction, have bought the hype of artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative technology, but their organizations are not ready to realize its promise, according to research from IFS, a global cloud enterprise software company. An IFS survey of 1,700 senior decision-makers found that 84% of executives anticipate massive organizational benefits from AI. 


Codes and Standards

Updated document details methods of testing fenestration for exterior walls

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) updated a document serving a recommended practice for determining test methodology for laboratory and field testing of exterior wall systems. The document pertains to products covered by an AAMA standard such as curtain walls, storefronts, window walls, and sloped glazing. AAMA 501-24, Methods of Test for Exterior Walls was last updated in 2015. 


MFPRO+ News

World’s largest 3D printer could create entire neighborhoods

The University of Maine recently unveiled the world’s largest 3D printer said to be able to create entire neighborhoods. The machine is four times larger than a preceding model that was first tested in 2019. The older model was used to create a 600 sf single-family home made of recyclable wood fiber and bio-resin materials.


Contractors

AGC releases decarbonization playbook to help assess, track, reduce GHG emissions

The Associated General Contractors of America released a new, first-of-its-kind, decarbonization playbook designed to help firms assess, track, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on projects. The AGC Playbook on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting in the Construction Industry is part of the association’s efforts to make sure construction firms play a leading role in crafting carbon-reduction measures for the industry.

halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021