Title: Decoding the genotype of Greenway design thinking and practice: a Steadmanian frame for systematic understanding, synthesis and tracking of multidisciplinary discourse

Authors: Archana Sharma

Addresses: Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, MD 21251, USA

Abstract: The concept of Greenway has been gaining strength in its role as an organisational strategy for the matrix of open, naturalistic and urban spaces. Multi-disciplinary approaches and methods have been increasingly making their way into the Greenway design and planning. Multidisciplinary infusions and ongoing evolution of Greenway thinking, places a demand for a frame that facilitates a systematic understanding, synthesis and tracking of the changes in thinking and practice since a clear understanding of the current is fundamental to craft the future. As a response to this need of a universal frame, this paper explores and advocates a Steadmanian frame for genotype and phenotype. A targeted review of ecology-oriented Greenways is undertaken for synthesis of emergent theories, design approaches and practice over the past decade. In conclusion, the article provides clarity to the emergent multi-disciplinary knowledge base, elucidates the genotype, or core principles, of Greenway design thinking and practice, and presents an interdisciplinary universal frame for systematic articulation, presentation and tracking of multidisciplinary Greenway approaches. The article is one in the series on experiments in integration of other, scientific frames in design thinking.

Keywords: Greenway design; Greenway planning; landscape; architecture; urban planning; sustainability; STEM; design thinking; Frontiers of Architectural Research; Fabos landscape and Greenways planning conferences; design thinking; design practice; Steadman; multidisciplinary discourse; sustainable development; naturalistic spaces; open spaces; urban spaces; genotype; phenotype; ecology oriented Greenways; core principles.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2015.069756

Journal of Design Research, 2015 Vol.13 No.2, pp.150 - 166

Received: 14 Aug 2014
Accepted: 21 Nov 2014

Published online: 09 Jun 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article