Robert Zion: A Profile in Landscape Architecture

Turn of a century is a rather exciting platform to review past history and peer into the possibilities for the future.

Back in 1850 in the U.S.A. , amid the waves of urbanization, Frederick Law Olmsted, henceforth called the father of landscape architecture, and his contemporarieshad already defined landscape and open space systematically. They had used and developed many urban planning techniques and practices which could not have been realized in Europe. Bold proposals such as the Emerald Necklace Plan in Boston, protecting Yosemite's scenery by designating it a natural park, and the design of Central` `P~ark in Manhattan, New York, were indeed revolutionary ideas. In the U.S.A. where many new toens and planned communities have been created, a new profesional - the landscape architect, has found practical solutions to many of the needs of the evolving society.

In early 1900s after the death of Olmsted, the modernization of garden design rose by break some of the principle that had stifled conventional planning. Thomas Church and James Rose among others, started to take an active role in landscape architecture. Those who advanced it a step further were Garret Eckbo, Dan Kiley and Robert Royston. They succeeded in stepping up the world of garden design by the modern ideals of landscape design.

After 1950, Eckbo, Kiley and Hideo Sasaki contributed to the development of landscape design in the rast with Harverd University as its center. In the west, landscape planning and the questions of quality were discussed extensively by Eckbo, Donald Appleyard, Christopher Alexander at the University of California at Berkeley. The ecological approach to landscaping and environment, spreadheaded by Ian McHarg of Pennsylvania University caused fresh waves.

The works of Laurence Halprin, Robert Roysten, Peter Walker, Richard Haag, Sasaki, Paul Friedburg and Robert Zion followed this tradition of innovation.

But what of the future? By reviewing the works of the above mentioned dynamic landscape architect, a cursory examination can be made of American landscape design. However, as we enter the last decade of this century, we have to ask ourselves what landscape architects can contribute to the society in the 21st century. We believe that a glimmer of the goals of future landscape architects can be found in this issue of Robert Zion's work and lifestyle.

As the landscape architects must always respond to the needs of the society vis a vis the society, environment and nature, by thoroughly understanding the integral goals and lifestyles of some representatives landscape architects of the time, one can gain an prospect into the direction of this response for the future. We hope that this special issue can provide just such an insight for the reader.