Stiles, R., 1994, The local context versus universal truths in landscape teaching and research, in: ECLAS (A. Aspinall & S. Filor), ‘The local context in landscape teaching and research’, ,
- Author : Stiles, R.
- Year : 1994
- Published in Book : The local context in landscape teaching and research
- Pages : 36-47
- Abstract in English : While there may be much to commend focusing on the local context in landscape teaching and research, the arguments for taking advantage of stronger international ties to seek for 'universal truths' in the form of a stronger theoretical basis for the discipline are stronger. Landscape architecture could profitably be viewed as a science in need of a better paradigm as a basis for more coherent teaching and better focused research. Developments in a number of natural science disciplines are beginning to make what could be important advances in understanding landscape as a 'scientific concept' and more attention needs to be paid to these by the landscape discipline. In themselves they are still far from providing the sought-for improved theoretical basis for landscape architecture, but they do offer some of the basic building blocks from which landscape theory can be fabricated and refined. The discipline needs to work actively to promote a better theoretical basis and closer European links offer an ideal vehicle through which to work towards this goal. A clearer understanding of the underlying theoretical structure for landscape teaching and research will provide the background against which the local context can then more fruitfully be studied.