This book is appropriate for a one semester course in environmental planning, environmental geography,landscape architecture, land-use planning or urban planning. The book focuses on methods and techniques, dealing with the essential topics and problems of modern environmental planning. The author has modified the book to meet the needs of students and professionals. He has added a great deal of new material to the book, incorporating the rapid expansions taking place in the field of environmental planning.
I used the second edition of this book 20 years ago as an architecture grad student taking a landscape architecture class, primarily about landscape ecology. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it was revelatory and enlightening. It gave me valuable understanding I’d lacked of landscape and landscape processes. I hadn’t realized how ignorant I was about these things, things which I’d be (and have been) impacting as an architect and planner. As a hiker/backpacker and kayaker it also laid a foundation for greater understanding and appreciation of the natural places I’ve visited.
Perhaps most importantly, it gave me a better understanding of fragile ecosystems, of wetlands and their functioning, and better knowledge of other matters important in land use and minimizing its negative environmental impacts. I’ve recently been reviewing the book again and reading the few chapters we omitted in class 20 years ago. It’s easily one of the best texts I’ve ever used, and useful for students and professionals in numerous disciplines.
read the first 2 chapers so far. ive never had to read a book for a class that was authored by the instructor. prof. marsh is a classic professor. he wears a tie and sports coat. he uses chalk instead of powerpoint and he insists that the students take notes with pen and paper instead of computers. he's just preaching to the choir when i'm there but i'll soak up his gospel any day of the week. 17 jan 2010
essentially read the book cover to cover. great integration of science and ecology into planning.