Professional Versus Non-Professional Approach to Landscape Design in Jordan: a Critical View

Author/Editor

Fatima T. Asfour

Date

2005

Language

English

Keywords

landscape design, professionalism, Jordan

Institution

University of Jordan

Advisor

Prof. Kamel O. Mahadin

Abstract

"Landscape is the outward form of the world's appearance. For the observer it lives by its expanse. Sky and earth touch on the line of horizon (Schaal, 1994)"
This study serves as the first Master's thesis discussing the subject of Landscape Design, specifically in Jordan. Pinpointing the problems facing Landscape Design in Jordan is the main objective of this research. Landscape design was only recently introduced in Jordan; perhaps no more than twenty years ago. Jordan, although rich in natural resources, can boast very few successful attempts at landscape design. This fact becomes more apparent when we study the concept of landscape design through the ages and up to the present day. To prove this proposition that professional design in Jordan is almost totally absent three case studies have been selected and analyzed thoroughly. They represent the prevailing three categories o f practitioners in Jordan i.e. landscape architects, who are far and few between, architects and agricultural engineers who generally work in conjunction with nurseries and florists. The above analysis clearly shows that Landscape Architecture is a total discipline in its own right. As with almost every field of human endeavour any practitioner, if he or she is to achieve any measure of success, must be put through the rigours of specialized learning and serious training. This needs to be followed by actual practice on the ground.
Another problem facing landscape design in Jordan is general public ignorance both of its true meaning and real significance. A questionnaire carried out in Amman showed that the great majority of respondents gave little importance to designing their gardens. Those who did actually consulted nursery personnel or depended on their meagre skills. This of public awareness results in a professional vacuum which is being widely exploited by a host of pretenders.
This research is concluded by making a number of recommendations to help alleviate the problems facing Landscape Design in Jordan. We need to raise public awareness by showing the advantages of considered professional practice over the ignorant meddling of amateurs. We also need to have the right institutions to educate and train new practitioners to satisfy a demand which, it is hoped, will slowly increase. The future is promising. But there is a lot of toil and hard work on the way.