What are the most common site design challenges in extreme climates?

1 Water management

Water is a vital resource for any landscape, but it can also be a source of problems in extreme climates. In arid regions, water scarcity, drought, and evaporation limit the availability and quality of water for irrigation, vegetation, and human use. Landscape architects need to design water-efficient systems that capture, store, reuse, and filter water, as well as select drought-tolerant plants and materials. In tropical regions, water abundance, flooding, and erosion create challenges for drainage, infrastructure, and soil stability. Landscape architects need to design water-sensitive systems that reduce runoff, control erosion, and enhance biodiversity, as well as select flood-resistant plants and materials.

2 Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort is the degree of satisfaction that people feel with the temperature and humidity of their environment. In extreme climates, thermal comfort can be hard to achieve, especially outdoors. In hot and dry climates, landscape architects need to provide shade, ventilation, and cooling features, such as trees, pergolas, fountains, and misters, to reduce the heat stress and increase the evaporative cooling. In hot and humid climates, landscape architects need to provide shade, ventilation, and dehumidifying features, such as trees, canopies, fans, and pools, to reduce the heat stress and increase the convective cooling. In cold climates, landscape architects need to provide sun exposure, wind protection, and heating features, such as south-facing slopes, walls, fire pits, and heated pavements, to increase the solar gain and reduce the heat loss.

3 Plant selection

Plant selection is a crucial aspect of landscape design, as plants provide aesthetic, functional, and ecological benefits. However, in extreme climates, plant selection can be challenging, as plants need to adapt to the harsh conditions and the seasonal variations. In arid regions, landscape architects need to select plants that can tolerate low water availability, high salinity, and high temperatures, such as succulents, grasses, and shrubs. In tropical regions, landscape architects need to select plants that can thrive in high water availability, high humidity, and high temperatures, such as palms, ferns, and orchids. In alpine regions, landscape architects need to select plants that can cope with low oxygen levels, low temperatures, and high winds, such as conifers, alpines, and mosses. In polar regions, landscape architects need to select plants that can survive in frozen soil, low light levels, and extreme cold, such as lichens, sedges, and grasses.

5 Cultural sensitivity

Cultural sensitivity is the awareness and respect for the values, beliefs, and practices of the people and communities that inhabit the landscape. In extreme climates, cultural sensitivity is essential, as the landscape reflects the history, identity, and livelihood of the people and the place. Landscape architects need to understand and incorporate the local culture, traditions, and preferences into their design, as well as engage with the stakeholders and users. For example, in arid regions, landscape architects need to consider the religious, social, and economic aspects of water use and management, as well as the symbolic and aesthetic meanings of water features. In tropical regions, landscape architects need to consider the ecological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of biodiversity and conservation, as well as the functional and aesthetic values of vegetation. In alpine regions, landscape architects need to consider the historical, agricultural, and recreational aspects of land use and management, as well as the scenic and experiential qualities of the landscape. In polar regions, landscape architects need to consider the indigenous, scientific, and geopolitical aspects of the landscape, as well as the ethical and environmental implications of their interventions.