Author: Pamela Conrad | ArchDaily

Design Strategies for Increasing Biodiversity

Pamela Conrad — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:30:00 +0000

The world has lost 60 percent of animal populations since 1970. This staggering decline reflects the growing pressures on ecosystems, from habitat destruction to climate change. And 1 million species now face threats of extinction. As these problems continue to escalate, the importance of preserving biodiversity and restoring ecosystems becomes clearer.

Landscape Architects Rise to the Challenge of Coastal Flooding

Pamela Conrad — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 03:30:00 +0000

It's that time of year again: students and their families are busy preparing for the start of school, while some of us are gearing up to step in front of the classroom. While preparing to teach an intro course on climate, I'm reminded of why we use the term climate change and not global warming.

Simple Design Strategies for Extreme Heat

Pamela Conrad — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 03:30:00 +0000

Anyone who walks during the summer in a city like Boston knows that a significant amount of time is spent charting routes with shade. But I can’t use that as my only excuse for being off-task. Honestly, I’m distracted. The swirling headlines of the U.S. presidential election, an unprecedented UN climate conference looming, and the phrase “decade of decisive action” weighs heavy on my shoulders. While it’s easy to get caught up in current events, those of us with solutions must stay focused.

Working Smarter, Not Harder to Reduce Emissions from Concrete and Steel

Pamela Conrad — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 03:30:00 +0000

It’s now clear that approximately 80% of emissions from landscape architecture projects come from materials. This includes the extraction of natural resources, and their manufacturing, transportation, and construction in parks, plazas, streets, campuses, and neighborhoods. A significant portion of emissions in the built environment can be traced back to two materials: concrete and metal, which includes steel and aluminum.