Landscape Architecture

Green Infrastructure for Asian Cities: The Spatial Concepts and Planning Strategies

by Sadahisa Kato

Peer-reviewed paper
Kato, S. 2011. Green Infrastructure for Asian Cities: The Spatial Concepts and Planning Strategies. Journal of the 2011 International Symposium on City Planning: 161-170. Korea Planners Association.

Reviewed the concept of green infrastructure (GI) and five cases of GI-like application in Japan; proposed four... more Reviewed the concept of green infrastructure (GI) and five cases of GI-like application in Japan; proposed four general landscape planning and design guidelines of GI from a landscape ecology perspective; and made recommendations of four areas of application of GI to Asian cities

Brief on the Bicycle-Pedestrian Pathway Dedication by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the League of American Bicyclists, the Bicycle Federation of Oregon, National …

by Elizabeth Brabec

Meridian Hill Park: The making of an American Neoclassical Landscape

by Elizabeth Brabec

Transformations on the landscape in 20th century

by Xenia Mastoraki

Essays about landscape architecture ad urban design in 20th century

The rapid growth of human population, the ownership of the automobile, the rapid introduction of technologies and the... more The rapid growth of human population, the ownership of the automobile, the rapid introduction of technologies and the science and the global form of economic development have led to an outrageous rapid change of the earthy landscape and the way we behave against it. Thoughts about the reasons, the results and the challenges of the new era.

The Shoeburyness Complex: Military space and the problem of the civilian body

by Matthew Flintham

PLANT SELECTION DATABASE FOR LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS

by D.A.M.S. Silva

D.A.M.S.Silva1 *, K. Yakandawala1, H.A.C.K. Jayathilaka2 and K.D.K.A.Perera3
1 * Corresponding Author, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila (NWP),
Email: sandaru1info@gmail.com
2ICT Centre, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila (NWP)
3Technoplus Engineering, 2nd Floor, Liyanarachchi Building, Galle Road, Payagala
Proceedings of the 2nd SAITM (South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine) Research Symposium on Engineering Advancements – 2012, 27th & 28th April 2012, Malabe, Sri Lanka. pp: 93-96

Plants are a group of living organisms belong to kingdom Plante under scientific classification. Trees, shrubs, herbs,... more Plants are a group of living organisms belong to kingdom Plante under scientific classification. Trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, vines, ferns and mosses are few of general categories of plants. Transition from hunting to farming is the first major historic milestone, where human beings started to interact with plants in a considerable way. Since then, they have discovered beautification and other functions of plants prior to food production.
Today, landscaping is a major sector in the modern construction industry. Attractive landscape design is an essential part of construction project planning, where landscape designers have an important roll to play. Reduction of natural vegetation due to building constructions can be re-established by interior and exterior plant-scaping. Incorporating plants with built infrastructure have aesthetic, health, social, economic, architectural and many other benefits. Most importantly plants create pleasing surroundings for human beings, and often they arrange plants in different ways to add value to built infrastructure. Selecting suitable plants for appropriate locations is one key aspect in landscaping projects, where most landscape designers fail to tackle. Placing plants in most suitable locations allow them to establish better, and facilitates optimum biological and ecological functioning. For landscape architects, this database can be use to select plants based on color, shape, seasonal effects and various other architectural decision making. To select suitable plants for certain location is complex task because it needs to consider multiple factors simultaneously and the decision maker needs to have sufficient multidisciplinary knowledge. A Computer aided decision support tool is handy for such kind of complex plant selection decision making.
Technological implementations such as Landscape plant selection database (LPSD) is a valuable tool in minimizing erroneous decision making in early stages of landscaping projects. This information system was developed using Java programming language and mysql database management system. Main objectives of developing this system was to collect knowledge from domain experts, books, journals, websites and other information sources into a central database and to use them in landscape plant selection decision making. This Database is capable of generating list of plants suitable for certain landscaping situations such as certain soil types and climatic conditions.

Key words: Landscape architecture, Database, Information Systems, Plants, Urban forestry

Isamu Noguchi's Utopian Landscapes

by Diana Witcher

‘The Cathedral of Trees’ - the discards of architectural and landscape architectural production

by Paul Cureton

After Gordon Cullen – New Visual Vocabularies for Urban Design

by Paul Cureton

Removal of organic matter and nitrogen in an horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetland under transient loads.

by Antonio Albuquerque

A Albuquerque, M Arendacz, M Gajewska, H Obarska-Pempkowiak, P Randerson, P Kowalik
Water Science and Technology, 2009, V. 60, 7, 1677-1682.

A monitoring campaign in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland under the influence of transient loads of... more A monitoring campaign in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland under the influence of transient loads of flow-rate, organic matter, nitrogen and suspended solids showed an irregular removal of COD and TSS and lower both removal efficiencies and mass removal rates than the ones observed in other studies for similar operating conditions. This circumstance is associated to the presence of large amount of particulate organic matter from non-point sources. The mass removal rate of ammonia increased 39% as both the water and soil temperatures increased from weeks 1–8 to weeks 9–14. A good correlation between mass load and mass removal rate was observed for all measured parameters, which attests a satisfactory response of the bed under to transient loads.

Influence of bed media characteristics on ammonia and nitrate removal in shallow horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands

by Antonio Albuquerque

A Albuquerque, J Oliveira, S Semitela, L Amaral
Bioresource Technology. 2009, V. 100, 6269–6277.

Two bed media were tested (gravel and Filtralite) in shallow horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetlands in... more Two bed media were tested (gravel and Filtralite) in shallow horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetlands in order to evaluate the removal of ammonia and nitrate for different types of wastewater (acetate-based and domestic wastewater) and different COD/N ratios. The use of Filtralite allowed both higher mass removal rates (1.1 g NH4–N m2 d1 and 3 g NO3–N m2 d1) and removal efficiencies (>62% for ammonia, 90–100% for nitrate), in less than 2 weeks, when compared to the ones observed with gravel. The COD/N ratio seems to have no significant influence on nitrate removal and the removal of both
ammonia and nitrate seems to have involved not only the conventional pathways of nitrification–denitrification.
The nitrogen loading rate of both ammonia (0.8–2.4 g NH4–N m2 d1) and nitrate (0.6–3.2 g NO3–N m2 d1) seem to have influenced the respective removal rates.

Geopolymeric artificial aggregates as new materials for wastewater treatment processes

by Antonio Albuquerque

I. Silva, J. Castro-Gomes, A. Albuquerque
International Conference on Sustainable Building Affordable to All (SB10), 17-19 March 2010, Vila Moura, Portugal, 441-448.

This study evaluates whether artificial aggregates produced from mining wastes geopolymeric binder would be suitable... more This study evaluates whether artificial aggregates produced from mining wastes geopolymeric binder would be suitable as alternative materials for wastewater treatment processes.
Seven types of mineral wastes geopolymeric artificial (WGA) aggregates were produced, using mining waste mud as precursor and sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide as alkaline
activators. Seven mixtures were produced for ratios of sodium silicate/sodium hydroxide ranging from 1.25 to 5 and for ratios of precursor/sodium silicate ranging from 4 to 5. 112 samples
were studied for different mixing and curing conditions (20ºC and 130ºC) and its structural stability and pH variation after immersion in water was observed during 3 months. Results show that the initial pH in water decreases with the increase of the curing time. A WGA mixture cured at 20ºC during 28 days seems to be suitable to be used as media bed material for fixed film wastewater treatment processes.

Willows and reeds for bioremediation of landfill leachate: redox potential in the root zone

by Antonio Albuquerque

P. Randerson, L. Davies, A. Albuquerque, A. Bialowiec
Proc. International Conference ECO-TECH’10, 22-24 November 2010, Kalmar, Sweden, 877-886. (2) p. 877-886

Constructed wetlands can be used for bioremediation of landfill leachate (LL) making it safe to discharge into the... more Constructed wetlands can be used for bioremediation of landfill leachate (LL) making it safe to discharge into the environment. Wetland plants (reed and willow), contribute to pollutant removal, particularly of organic and nitrogen loads. Root exudates stimulate microbial activity and elevate oxygen levels in the rhizosphere which promotes nitrification. This study investigated the effects of reed and willow on bioremediation of LL in comparison with an unplanted control by measuring redox potential levels in the rhizosphere of microcosm systems in a greenhouse. Redox potential in the reed rhizosphere was consistently the highest, with the willow rhizosphere consistently the lowest. Redox potential fluctuated in the willow rhizosphere during daylight hours, with large decreases in the morning. Levels of NH4+ decreased dramatically in the first day of the experiment and remained at similar low levels in all tanks. Removal of ammonia took place in the control tank with peaks in NO2- and NO3-, but levels of NO3- remained high. Removal of ammonia was also observed in the reed tank with a peak in NO2-, but there was no peak in NO3-, as well as in the willow tank, but there were no peaks in NO2- or NO3-. Final levels of total-nitrogen, nitrate and chemical oxygen demand where considerably lower in the reed and willow tank than the unplanted control.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands for different media

by Antonio Albuquerque

A. Albuquerque, J. Oliveira, S. Semitela, L. Amaral
Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2010, V. 22, 6, 820-825.

Two media bed (gravel and Filtralite NR) were tested in a mesocosm to evaluate the removal of organic matter (as... more Two media bed (gravel and Filtralite NR) were tested in a mesocosm to evaluate the removal of organic matter (as chemical oxygen demand (COD)), ammonia (NH4-N), nitrite, nitrate and solid matter (as total suspended solids (TSS)) for a synthetic wastewater (acetate-based) and a domestic wastewater. The use of Filtralite allowed average removal rates (6–16.8 g COD/(m2·day), 0.8–1.1 g NH4 -N/(m2·day) and 3.1 g TSS/(m2·day)) and removal efficiencies (65%–93%, 57%–85% and 78% for COD, NH4-N and TSS, respectively), higher than that observed in the experiments with gravel. The applied loads of COD, ammonia, nitrate and TSS seem to influence the respective removal rates but only for the treatment of domestic wastewater with higher correlation coefficients for Filtralite. Regardless the type of media bed and the type of wastewater, nitrate was completely removed for nitrogen loading rates up to
1.3 g NO3-N/(m2·day). There was no evidence of the influence of nitrate loads on the removal of organic matter.

Recycling pulp mill sludge to improve soil fertility using GIS tools

by Antonio Albuquerque

P. Ribeiro, A. Albuquerque, L. Quinta-Nova, V. Cavaleiro
Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2010, V. 54, 12, 1303–1311.

Pulp mill sludge produced in the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) contains organic matter (11–47%), nitrogen (38–2560mg... more Pulp mill sludge produced in the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) contains organic matter (11–47%), nitrogen (38–2560mg N/kg) and phosphorus (167–370mg P/kg), which may be valuable for increasing soil productivity. The levels of heavy metals are below the limits recommended by legislation and the
amount of nitrogen and phosphorous to be introduced in soils does not present a risk for nutrient leaching.
After identifying the environmental and technical restrictions on its application, an area of 1650 ha was identified where the sludge can be applied in forage crops, fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards. A suitable area was also found for a biosolids storage centre. The use of GIS allowed to define a sludge
application index and to produce land-use suitability maps, which can be useful for sludge management.

Evaluation of the stability of waste-based geopolymeric artificial aggregates for wastewater treatment processes under different curing conditions

by Antonio Albuquerque

I. Silva, J. Castro-Gomes, A. Albuquerque
Advances in Science and Technology, 2010, V. 69, 86-91.

Waste geopolymeric artificial aggregates (WGA) with different atomic ratios of mining waste mud/Na2SiO (4 to 5) and... more Waste geopolymeric artificial aggregates (WGA) with different atomic ratios of mining waste mud/Na2SiO (4 to 5) and Na2SiO/NaOH (1.25 to 5) were produced using curing temperatures of 20ºC and 130ºC and its structural stability and pH variation after immersion in water was observed during 3 months. Results showed that WGA with mud/Na2SiO and Na2SiO/NaOH of 5 and 4, respectively, cured at 20ºC presented good stability in water and pH decreased from 10 to 7
in 24 days. Compressive strength was determined in additional samples cured at 20ºC and 80ºC in dry conditions, for 13 curing ages and 15 water immersion periods (up to 14 weeks). Results of this second stage showed that increasing temperature to 80ºC accelerated compressive strength gain but
only during the first 3 weeks (up to 15.4 MPa). After 24 h in water compressive strength decreased to half of the initial values determined in dry conditions in all samples and, therefore, the increase of temperature did not bring benefits to WGA strength in water. Regardless the curing temperature and the dry curing age comprehensive strength stabilizes between 1 MPa and 2 MPa after 4 weeks immersion in water, which are values that makes WGA suitable to be used as bed material for wastewater treatment processes.

Analysis of constructed wetland performance for irrigation reuse

by Antonio Albuquerque

H. Marecos do Monte, A. Albuquerque
Water Science and Technology, 2010, V. 61, 7, 1699-7105.

Most of the wastewater treatment systems in small rural communities of the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) consist of... more Most of the wastewater treatment systems in small rural communities of the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) consist of constructed wetlands (CW) with horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF). It is believed that those systems allow the compliance of discharge standards as well as the production of final effluents with suitability for reuse. Results obtained in a nine-month campaign in an HSSF bed pointed out that COD and TSS removal were lower than expected. A discrete sampling also showed that removal of TC, FC and HE was not enough to fulfill international irrigation goals. However, the bed had a very good response to variation of incoming nitrogen loads presenting high removal of nitrogen forms. A good correlation between mass load and mass removal rate was observed for BOD5, COD, TN, NH4-N, TP and TSS, which shows a satisfactory response of the bed to the variable incoming loads. The entrance of excessive loads of organic matter and solids contributed for the decrease of the effective volume for pollutant uptake and therefore, may have negatively influenced the treatment capability. Primary treatment should be improved in order to decrease the variation of incoming organic and solid loads and to improve the removal of COD, solids and pathogenic. The final effluent presented good physical–chemical quality to be reused for irrigation, which is the most likely application in the area.

Influence of stormwater infiltration on the treatment capacity of a LECA-based horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland

by Antonio Albuquerque

L. Amado, A. Albuquerque, A. Espirito Santo
Ecological Engineering, 2012, V. 39, 16-23.

This research work evaluates the impact of stormwater infiltration on the removal of organics, solids, nitrogen and... more This research work evaluates the impact of stormwater infiltration on the removal of organics, solids, nitrogen and phosphorus in a LECA-based horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland. Stormwater runoff for the period between January 2008 and June 2010 (30 months) was estimated for the drainage basin of the Vila Fernando wastewater treatment plant (constructed wetland system) and it was observed proportionality between the increase in surface runoff and the infiltration flow rate that reached the plant. The average stormwater infiltration rate that reached the plant was 67.4 m(3) d(-1) (77% of the influent flow rate into the plant). The 30 month monitoring campaign set up at one of the reed beds showed that stormwater infiltration led to a high variation of the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) throughout the bed, which affected its performance in the removal of organic matter, suspended solids and nitrogen. For a HLR below 20 cm d-1 the removal efficiencies for BOD5, COD and TSS doubled. The removal of nitrogen was too low and was associated with the weak development of nitrifying biofilm and the poor growth of reeds. However, it was observed a good relationship between the applied and removed loads for most of the parameters, which seems to indicate that the organic, solid, nitrogen and phosphorus loading rates influenced the respective removal rates. The use of a bed material with high specific surface area, such as LECA, can only improve the treatment capacity of horizontal subsurface flow systems if the organic and solid loading rates, as well as the HLR, can be effectively controlled.

The influence of plants on nitrogen removal from landfill leachate in discontinuous batch shallow constructed wetland with recirculating subsurface horizontal flow

by Antonio Albuquerque

A. Białowiec, L. Davies, A. Albuquerque, P. Randerson
Ecological Engineering, 2012, V. 40, 44-52

Three discontinuous batch shallow constructed wetland systems with recirculating subsurface horizontal flow with reed,... more Three discontinuous batch shallow constructed wetland systems with recirculating subsurface horizontal flow with reed, willow, and without plants were used to assess the removal of nitrogen from landfill leachate in relation to hydraulic retention time and climatic conditions. In all systems redox potential in the beds increased asymptotically from negative anoxic conditions to +67 (reed bed), −2 (willow bed), and +17 mV (control bed), reaching a plateau in two wk. During the first 24 h after feeding the beds all forms of nitrogen decreased significantly. It has been shown that plants release O2 and Norg which was then hydrolyzed to ammonia. Plant-available radiation significantly (p < 0.05) increased the release of Norg and removal of ammonia after the 9th day of the experiment. Low, and relatively constant concentrations of nitrite and nitrate indicated that denitrification had taken place in the beds.

Potential for reuse of tungsten mining waste-rock in technical-artistic value added products

by Antonio Albuquerque

J. Castro-Gomes, A. Silva, R. Cano, J. Suarez, A. Albuquerque
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2012, V. 25, 34-41

Mining and quarrying activities in Europe generate approximately 55% of total industrial wastes, according to a recent... more Mining and quarrying activities in Europe generate approximately 55% of total industrial wastes, according to a recent Eurostat report. Most of these wastes are directly dumped on land or deposited in landfill sites. The first solution may lead to negative environmental impacts on land (removal of vegetation, deforestation, land slope changes and increased risk of erosion), water (pollutant transport through surface runoff, soil infiltration and contamination of water resources), may lead to the contamination of agricultural goods and may impose risks on human health. In Portugal, about 20% of industrial waste produced originates from mines and quarries, particularly from Panasqueira mining, one of the largest tungsten mines in the world. Currently, Panasqueira mining generates almost 100 tonnes of waste-rock, per day. Such waste-rock have accumulated over a number of years into very large heaps and it is desirable to seek new economic solutions that can contribute towards their reuse. In this context, this work discusses the potential for reuse of waste-rock piles of Panasqueira tungsten mine, which may be a case statement to be followed. The proposed solution described in this paper consists in developing innovative polymer-based composite materials, obtained from non-contaminated waste-rock tailings. Such materials must have suitable properties for technical-artistic value added applications, such as conservation, restoration and/or rehabilitation of historic monuments, sculptures, decorative and architectural intervention, or simply as materials for building revetments.