Standpoint: Landscape Architecture expert debunks myths and highlights the importance of therapeutic outdoor spaces

Standpoint video series highlights the breadth and depth of the research that goes on at Te Herenga Waka. This week Associate Dean Dr. Bruno Marques takes a stand on Landscape Architecture.

17 March 2024

Tell us about yourself

“Kia ora, my name is Dr Bruno Marques. I am the Associate Dean for Academic Development at Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa— Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation. I'm also a Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture and the President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects.

"My research looks at culture orientation for health and wellbeing and how can we design our outdoor spaces that are therapeutic and rehabilitative.”

Where do you stand on this statement: Landscape Architects spend all their time gardening?

“Well, I will disagree with that urban myth. I don't think landscape architects spend all their time gardening. Landscape architects spend a lot of their time thinking about big urban and rural issues and how to make our public outdoor spaces more livable for the future.

“So, they really, address issues around climate change, sea level rise, urbanization, densification, but also issues very much related with water conservation, droughts, and I think those are issues that are very much defining the profession of landscape architecture.”

Where do you stand on this statement: Landscape can be therapeutic?

“I agree with that statement. In a post-pandemic world, the biggest learning has been access to nature to maintain our health and wellbeing. And I think our urban spaces, our outdoor spaces need to be designed with that in mind.

"People need access to nature for their physical activity, to maintain their lifestyle, but also for their health.

“Access to nature provides places of refuge, where people can establish that mental, spiritual connection, that also is equally important to assure their health and wellbeing.”