The history of human existence documents the hunter-gatherer model, where living off of the land was the means to survival – a concept mostly understood by today’s westernized population through Netflix and Planet Earth documentaries. The emergence of farming, stemming from the need to mass produce food as populations grew, can be traced back to 9,500 B.C. with the domestication of rice in China and pigs and sheep in Mesopotamia. Fast forward to the Green Revolution, a time occurring between the 1930s and late 1960s when agricultural production increased worldwide due to research and development. During that time, mass production from the land was made possible due to regulated irrigation systems paired with fertilizer usage and advancement of machinery. Just as the Green Revolution impacted many for the better, a simultaneous awareness of the mass consumption of land and more thoughtful use of land through informed planning gained momentum.

Food and other consumer products are constantly becoming more accessible and mass produced. The trade-off is that it is sometimes unclear precisely where the food we eat and products we use come from, and how their production impacts natural resources and land. Shouldn’t we know where life’s necessities originate, be aware of our footprint, and attempt to contribute to a more sustainable world? As landscape architects and designers, we are aware that industrial farming and land development activities can have adverse impacts such as deforestation, soil desiccation and ecosystem irregularity.

Completely eliminating mankind’s footprint is not realistic, especially considering half of the world’s population lives in cities. However, the need is greater than ever to implement design strategies and practices that protect and regenerate the environment while providing for the needs of an always expanding global population. Sustainable development must be derived from a recipe of creativity, relevance and incorporation of the existing environment. Examples include green roofs that reduce storm water runoff and heat island effect, natural ventilation to lower energy needs for air conditioning and use of locally sourced building materials. Locally supported agriculture and chef’s gardens can supply kitchens with fruits and vegetables, while providing an enticing element of the landscape. In rainy climates, rainwater capture and reuse has proven to be a valuable way to reduce or even eliminate use of municipal potable water, without requiring reductions in water use by occupants.

This April, the land use planning industry is celebrated through World Landscape Architecture Month. The landscape architecture community aims to increase awareness of sustainable land and resource use through forward thinking planning and design practices. While population growth and land use for development is inevitable, our interactions and interface with the environment do not have to be detrimental. Best planning and design practices can mitigate the human footprint to seamlessly mesh new developments with its surroundings, thus benefitting end users.

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Elevating the urban experience, this next-generation, super-regional, $1 billion dollar development will shine as an iconic destination at the center of Al Maryah Island and serve as a continuation/expansion of the adjacent Galleria. Its 3.1 million square-feet of mixed-use space has a diverse set of amenity offerings for the anticipated 15,000 people who will live and work on the Island. Reflecting the burgeoning vibrancy of Al Maryah, the central mall is also easily accessible to a core catchment of almost half a million people living within a ten-minute drive. With the major point of difference being family-oriented attraction, EDSA’s design creates multiple nature-centric entertainment features that seamlessly link the indoors and outdoors via three rooftop podium parks over the mall experience and an energetic and unique urban streetscape.

Program elements include a unique, open-air, rooftop food hall and more than 145 dining options, a multi-screen cinema, health club, food market, children’s entertainment playground area, and outdoor amphitheater. The precinct will also feature two 400,000 square foot, integrated towers comprised of hotel-serviced residential apartments and villas. EDSA is providing master planning through construction administration services for this multi-dimensional entertainment catalyst. Expected to receive between 20 and 25 million visitors annually, the opening date is scheduled for Spring, 2018.