Strategy use and challenges of ecological design in landscape architecture

The study revealed high-frequency use of native plants, local materials, and site protection strategies; while use of green roofs, on-site wastewater treatment and material life-cycle analysis was quite low among the respondents. Commonly cited challenges were: issues of cost; lack of information, testing and data on performance of strategies; time available for research; and resistance by project stakeholders, other consultants and code officials. The results of this study highlight a strong need for research demonstrating the economic and performance advantages of ecological design; strengthened information dissemination forums for practitioners; and marketing and education efforts directed to all project stakeholders. This paper will present the survey results, relate them to similar studies in allied fields, discuss strategy use and challenges within the framework of Classical Diffusion Theory, and identify opportunities and forums where the challenges might be addressed.