Ways of engaging. Re-assessing effects of the relationship between landscape architecture and art in community involvement and design practice

Abstract

In 2000, the European Landscape Convention has introduced and highlighted a number of key points which intended to renew the ways of approaching the landscape, also covering the subjects of public participation or the diversity of disciplinary articulations — for example, a greater concern was expressed about the places where people live, such as urban and periurban areas; the public should have an active role and responsibility as well as awareness raising, training and education through an enhanced part in participation actions; crossdisciplinary and more diversity on the approaches related to landscape matters are needed. It was from this context that this investigation was developed, proposing a different perspective of analysis between landscape architecture and art, that is: on the one hand, it was intended to address the current challenges related to the public engagement and participation taking into account the long experience of the art practices in participatory projects; on the other hand, it was intended to contribute to a better clarification on how different disciplines such as landscape architecture and art address similar themes and concerns, and how this can contribute to more efficient design practices and diversified collaborations. Thus, different approaches were analyzed and discussed, produced from temporary projects carried out by artists or by different collaborations between art, landscape architecture and other disciplines, in order to contribute not only to more efficient and inclusive design practices, but also to improve engagement processes between the public, the design team and the project. The aim is to reinforce a more active role of the public that may translate into responsibility as well as in awareness raising, training, and education, mainly referring to the specific context of the urban landscape