RDG in the Media: How Green Spaces are Responding to Climate Change
Recreation Management Magazine speaks with RDG's Scott Crawford to explore how landscape architecture and urban design have responded to climate change, urban heat and the loss of green space.
Landscape design covers a wide range of considerations, but as climate change intensifies, bringing with it extreme weather events and diminishing green spaces, projects are increasingly focused on sustainability, resilience and restoration, regardless of their scope. Recreation Management Magazine interviewed several leaders in landscape architecture, including RDG Landscape Architect and Principal Scott Crawford, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP, to find out how new spaces are being created to address these challenges, while also promoting public health, equity and economic vitality.
Parks and open spaces act as resilient, multifunctional infrastructure for communities. As Crawford explained, within these spaces, adaptive landscapes, effective stormwater systems and robust infrastructure can work together to reduce flood impacts and help encourage environmental stewardship. Likewise, increasing tree canopies and incorporating native, layered vegetation in parks and urban spaces can significantly lessen heat-island effects.
“Using light-colored, high-albedo materials, permeable pavements and incorporating water features further lowers surface and air temperatures by reflecting heat and providing evaporative cooling to create more comfortable, climate-resilient public spaces,” Crawford said.
Beyond environmental benefits, Crawford emphasized that parks and public spaces are vital for fostering social connection, civic participation and community identity. He highlighted the value of flexible, accessible spaces that accommodate both active and passive recreation.