QUARTER 1 AFA-LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION AND
MAINTENACE 9/10
Information Sheet 1
BASIC CONCEPT AND PRINCIPLES IN LANDSCAPE
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENECE
INTRODUCTION
In the developing country like ours in the Philippines, the improvement and maintenance of
a well-balanced physical environment is now more than in the past few years becoming a serious
national problem. The rapidly expanding population in the developing towns and cities requires
the creation and development of sizeable public parks, the beautification of the public squares or
plazas, and the development of more resort complexes, not only for the needs of local affluent
residents for relaxation, but also for the pleasure of thousands of tourists from abroad. Indeed,
public parks and other recreational offerings elsewhere are giving significant contributions in the
promotion of good health and cultural growth of our people. Surely there should be more botanical
gardens, zoological parks, marinas, and resort areas where people could relax during late
afternoons and evenings and on weekends. National, provincial and city parks; zoological and
botanical gardens, and the growing private resort complexes are the hallmarks of our advancing
culture and civilization.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Landscape - is the visible features of an area of land, its landforms, and how they
integrate with natural or man-made features. It is the visible features of an area of countryside or
land, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.
Landscaping - simply means the selecting, arranging and growing plants in a specified
area for beauty, convenience, privacy, and pleasure.
Landscape planning - is a branch of landscape architecture. According to Erv Zube
(1931–2002) landscape planning is defined as an activity concerned with developing landscaping
amongst competing land uses while protecting natural processes and significant cultural and
natural resources.
Horticulture – is a branch of Agriculture which deals with the study of raising fruit bearing
trees, vegetables crops and ornamental/flowering plants and landscaping.
Agriculture – is an art, science, and business of raising and producing plants and animals
for economic purposes.
TYPES OF LANDSCAPING
1. Private property/residential landscaping: Landscaping of personal residential properties
like a flat, bungalow, duplex, estate etc. Usually, plants of different good qualities are used
as much as possible for the enjoyment of owner(s). It is important to landscape to the taste
of the clients even if expensive materials will be used.
Characteristics:
a. There is no need for plant nursery- it is small in scope and very expensive to
keep a personal nursery
b. No green or glass houses is required
c. There is only one garden for family members and their friends
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2. Industrial landscaping: It involves the establishment of plants and hardscapes within the
industrial estate/area e.g., Agbara industrial estate, Nigeria Breweries Ltd, Portland/Lafage
cement company, etc. Most areas are planted to grasses, trees and hedges along the
walkways. It is not necessary to use exotic or expensive items compared to private
property landscapes. When landscaping for factories/industrial centres, study kind of
activities in each section e.g. manufacturing area with many peoples, vehicles and
materials-grassing the whole area dotted with spot planting will be appropriate. Near the
administrative block, use beautiful materials because it is the focus and should be at it
best. Inside the offices, a number of indoor plants may be introduced.
Characteristics:
a. There may be need to have a plant nursery within the industrial estate,
particularly for big industrial estate.
b. No green or glass house is required
c. It has at least two gardens depending on the size
Though, hotels can also be regarded as industrial landscaping because it is not
meant for a single family, but for the general public and for commercial purposes.
However, in 6 actual execution of the project it treated like private property because of
requirement for high taste.
3. Institutional landscaping: Landscaping that involves all sorts of institutions, universities,
colleges, polytechnics, hospitals, research institutes, barracks etc. Usually, it is meant for
all categories of users, i.e. general public of all age category- children, adolescents, adults,
women, men, students, lecturers, non-academic staff, scientist etc. Institutional
landscaping must be different from others because it is not only for recreation, picnic but
also for instructional purpose (educational)
Characteristics:
a. There should be a plant nursery, particularly for replacement of dead plants
and to plant new areas.
b. Presence of green and glass houses is also important
c. There are many gardens and usually larger.
4. Recreational landscaping: It involves landscaping recreational arenas (polo ground, parks
and gardens, football pitches, game villages etc.) for adults and children. It has special
inclusions such as restaurant, water fountains, focal plants, green lawns and other areas
for social like picnic, marriages, honeymoon, film shooting. Nowadays, ICT and photocopy
center have been added.
IMPORTANCE OF LANDSCAPING
Basically, if human beings had never altered the natural world, there would be no need for
designers. Nature is such a perfect designer that left unchanged by human beings, the earth’s
beauty and natural system would never have required improvement. This idea is, however, not
realistic in the modern world. Therefore, some of the reasons why landscaping is important are:
1. Aesthetic/ Beautification of environment which is the primary purpose of landscaping.
2. Engineering purpose: (e.g., protection of structures against environmental hazards i.e.,
rain, storms etc.)
3. Architectural purpose: (e.g., re-integration of structures in to the natural environment)
4. Biological purpose: (e.g., improves the micro-climate (environment), absorbs dust,
noise, pollutants and assists in air purification).
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5. Ecological purpose: (e.g., some ornamental plants can be used to solve ecological
problems such as flooding, to control erosion and absorb chemical from soil (oil
spillage)
6. Economic purpose (e.g., creation of job opportunities, add value to property, creates
wealth for plant growers and government (taxes, foreign exchange), beautiful
environment also attracts tourists and investors).
7. Social purpose: (e.g., landscaped areas are useful as recreation and relaxation venues
(parks), sporting arenas (polo, football fields), and symbols of affluence/wealth).
8. Nutritional/Medicinal purpose:)e.g., some plants used primarily for landscaping could
also be used for food (fruits and vegetables) and medicines, plants have therapeutic
effect on patient etc.)
9. Environmental control in prevention of hazards such as wind breaks, shade trees for
guide against sun glares, etc.
10. Urban forestry in the integration of forest resources into urban areas by town planners
and foresters, provision of shelter belts, and firewood, etc.
STEPS IN PREPARING LANDSCAPE PLAN
1. Identification of problems and opportunities.
2. Establishment of goals.
3. Inventory and analysis of the biophysical environment.
4. Human community inventory and analysis.
5. Development of concepts and the selection of options.
6. Adoption of a plan.
7. Community involvement and education.
8. Detailed design.
9. Plan implementation.
10. Plan administration.
Landscape planning does not always means an ecological planning method, for that it
must be considered that "planning is a process that uses the scientific and technical information
for considering and reaching consensus on a range of choices. Ecology is the study of the
relationship of all living things, including people, to their biological and physical environments.
Ecological planning then may be defined as the use of biophysical and sociocultural information to
suggest opportunities and constraints for decision making about the use of landscape". (Steiner,
1991) While the common steps are listed above, the process of Landscape planning is adaptable
to many situations and is useful in many ways depending on the goals for which it is used. In the
preceding module the different steps in landscape planning will be discussed to you thoroughly.
REFERENCES
K-12 Basic Education Curriculum CG
TESDA TR - Landscape Installation and Maintenance NC II
TESDA CBC- Landscape Installation and Maintenance NC II
Module in Landscaping (Released by Region 5)
http://unaab.edu.ng/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/482_HRT%20202%20LECTURE
%201%20n%202.pdf
Prepared by:
ZENAIDA N. REMPIS
Master Teacher 1
TLE Department
