Page 21 - Landscape SA 100

LANDSCAPING FEATURE

A water element in Ballito, KZN; its raised concrete rill allows interaction
within a retail environment

grandchildren is common with blue every year we become more unhealthy, our most important human psychological
zone centenarians; heavy, stressed and lonely.” asset. Nature as a health currency for
• right tribe – the world’s longest living human happiness needs to be respected
people have close friends and strong We as landscape architects need to consider and protected, and as landscape architects
social networks. how project design can stimulate sustainable, we should continue to champion this,
How can the knowledge gained from this healthy communities, connected and thereby helping to form the narrative on
research assist landscape architects and integrated with nature, in its most natural nature".
other designers? Is there an elixir that can form. More pathways, more cycle tracks, more
be applied to our design realm? It has been community food gardens, more indigenous In summary, and following on from the
proven in the “Danish Twin Study” that parks, more community forums, more nine principles above, science has proven
genetics dictates only 20% of longevity. connection and easy access to real nature. that happiness can be found very simply
Lifestyle and environment account for the by following five practices: being grateful,
rest, yet our built environment today does not Through conscious designing for humans, meditating, exercising, connecting with
always encourage the nine principles above. the built environment can change the way people and having a sense of purpose.
communities live, work, move, connect, So in the near future I hope you get to
“We spend so much of our daily lives in eat, interact with nature, learn and play, experience meditation, exercise, grow
our cars commuting to work, stores, the whilst still protecting, enhancing and your own vegetables, meet your friends,
gym, and this only increases stress, leaving rehabilitating nature. have fun and give quiet thanks to the
little time for cooking healthy meals, wonder of nature. LSA
socialising with family and friends, and “Nature doesn’t need us, we need
getting involved with volunteer work. We nature!”
have mod cons so that we don’t have to References: Harvard Design
lift a finger and every store and restaurant In June 2018, The US advisor on climate Magazine, National Geograph-
is filled with easy, unhealthy choices. So change, James Gustave Speth, said: “It’s ic, World Economic Forum.

Landscape SA • Issue 100 2021 19