How to redesign lawns with an ecological approach?
Abstract: Conventional lawn is the dominating element in green space in Swedish cities. This is not unique. As a result of globalisation the conventional lawn is a universal element, which covers up to 70 per cent of open green areas in cities in many parts of the world. Being the most common green space element in the urban environment with almost exactly the same appearance and plant species composition in different cities around the world, regardless climatic conditions, it plays a significant role in threatening both biodiversity and place significant identity. The homogenous conventional lawn’s contribution to ecological function is very limited and it also offers few experiential values as well as requires intensive maintenance. In recent years, the high prevalence of conventional lawns, have therefore started to be questioned. This thesis focuses on redesign of conventional lawns in Swedish residential areas. The aim is to combine theoretical knowledge with practical lessons in order to obtain a result, which deals with new approaches and at the same time is realistic to implement. To get a comprehensive understanding of the subject the main aspects are ecology, design and maintenance. We present selected ecological principles and experiential values to consider when redesigning conventional lawns in Swedish residential areas. We also present more sustainable alternatives to the conventional lawn and explain how they should be established and managed. A case study in a residential area in Gothenburg shows how this approach can be applied. By introducing a varied composition of elements such as meadows, grass-free lawns, trees and shrubs the proposal transforms a homogenous residential area dominated by conventional lawn, into a heterogeneous area that offers rich experiences and high ecological values. The proposal is presented in neighbourhood scale followed by selected design interventions in detail where applied ecological principles, experiential values, establishment methods and maintenance are explained.
AT THIS PAGE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE ESSAY. (follow the link to the next page)