What Is the Difference Between Landscape Planning and Landscape Design?

Landscape planning and landscape design are two separate but related concepts in the field of landscape architecture. Landscape planning is the process of determining what elements should be included in a given landscape, such as plants, trees, pathways, and structures. Landscape design is the actual implementation of those plans by choosing specific materials and components that will bring the vision to life.

Landscape Planning is a long-term visioning process that helps to determine which elements should be included in a given landscape and how they should be arranged. Planning begins with understanding the existing site conditions, such as the topography, climate, soil type, existing vegetation, and other environmental factors.

From there, planners can then develop a plan for achieving the desired outcome for the space. Some considerations during this process include determining which types of vegetation would thrive in the given environment; creating paths or other features that may enhance access or aesthetics; and deciding on any structures or other features that would improve usability or safety.

Landscape Design is where those plans come to life through an implementation stage. Designers select specific materials to achieve their desired outcome – such as selecting plants and trees for their color and texture – while also taking into account practical considerations like cost, maintenance requirements, accessibility, drainage needs, etc. Designers must also consider how all these elements will interact with each other to create an overall cohesive look that meets both aesthetic and functional goals.

In summary, while both landscape planning and landscape design are important steps in creating outdoor spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional in nature; they are separate but related processes with different objectives and considerations. Landscape planning is focused on developing a vision for what elements should be included in a space while landscape design brings those plans to life through selecting specific materials and components to bring it all together.

Conclusion: What Is the Difference Between Landscape Planning and Landscape Design? The key difference is that landscape planning focuses on developing a vision for what elements should be included in a space while landscape design brings those plans to life through selecting specific materials and components to bring it all together.