Is landscape theory?

This chapter illustrates the potential of a new way of thinking about landscape, consciousness and design and aims to initiate a new discourse by abandoning the philosophical filters that currently obscure a meaningful engagement with the built environment. Currently, landscape has an uneasy relationship with philosophy. Landscape can be described in many ways, for example, its ecological diversity, botanical or cultural significance, its history and traditions, through its evolution, spatial structure, economic value. The negative impact rationalism has had on peoples' surroundings, the everyday places where people live and work is there to be seen in the careless, casual treatment of a hugely important resource. So in a sense, yes, landscape is philosophy manifested. Working with the landscape as the context within which development takes place is an effective way to increase environmental quality. If we achieve a more supportive relationship between landscape and philosophy, it will go a long way towards providing much needed political and intellectual leadership.