SCD Framework Paper

SCD Framework Paper

Maddie Hague

Simon Fraser University

This paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for SCD 201

Trina Isakson

October 8, 2013

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SCD Framework Paper

Mainstream landscaping in Vancouver is not sustainable, as aesthetics tend to be given priority

over ecological production and the daily practices of landscapers are often polluting and

harmful. While there are Vancouver landscapers building sustainable practices, the industry as a

whole must change to better support life into the future. The “concentric circle model of

sustainability” (Fig. 1) will be used to illustrate this.

The framework and approach of this paper

The concentric circle model (fig.1) “reflects the reality that economic systems are

embedded within social systems, societies are embedded within culture,” and one “biophysical

reality” “upon which all life depends” (Sarkissian, et al., 2009) encompasses all of this. So,

while there are rising ‘sustainable’ landscaping trends (Table 1), and public efforts to promote

‘green’ land use (Table 2), all landscapers must shift towards working equitably within the

Earth’s carrying capacity because there is only one Earth for all of humankind. As Robbins, et

al. 2005, states: disaggregate choices of individuals aggregate into large and serious issues.

Thus, harmful choices by some landscapers/clients produce an ‘unsustainable’ industry—where

resources are used beyond what the Earth can sustain. According to Bill Reid: “achieving

sustainability is like being pregnant: you either are or you aren’t.” Therefore, our “systematic

tendency to avoid accountability for our own decisions (Meadows, 1999)” must be eliminated

by becoming aware of the environmental impacts of our choices. For Wilkin, 1996, responsible

landscaping is necessary as “it is the landscape from which we must coax the resources to

sustain us over the long term. It is the landscape that must assimilate and recycle our wastes.”

Negative environmental impacts by landscapers

The negative impacts landscaping has on the environment are detailed in Table 3. While

the framework of this paper insists the components of sustainability (environment, culture,

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SCD Framework Paper

society, economy) are not equal, and that the environment dominates all, it is important to

understand how culture, society and economics underlie poor landscaping choices.

For instance, “the modern economist has been brought up to consider ‘labour’…as little

more than a necessary evil” a cost factor that should be reduced by automation or other labour-

saving devices (Schumacher, 2010). Such ideas (increasing outcomes while minimizing the

means) inspire some landscapers to spray strong herbicides, rather than shovel out deep-rooted

weeds. It is also why some landscapers continue to use leaf blowers where they are not allowed.

Furthermore, it is common for “landscape technicians” to be hired with little or no skills

training (see Fig.2), without fully appreciating how their actions impact the soil, air, water, etc.

Socioeconomics, group membership and landscape preferences

Since the Middle Ages, elite society has been linked to the visual amenity of natural

spaces. In England, forested manor homes became symbols of wealth power and prestige. In the

Mediterranean, the Renaissance villa served as “a refuge where one could enjoy the view of the

surrounding countryside” and a passersby could see over the walls and admire the landlord’s

garden. In Chinese history, the minimal green space available was controlled solely by

government, and urban planning imposed a rigid social hierarchy (Fraser & Kenney, 2000).

Today, there remains a strong link between money, rank and landscaping. In Phoenix,

AZ, Martin, 2004, showed that neighborhood vegetation richness increased with increasing

socioeconomic status. Likewise, Robbins, et al., 2001, found that wealthy, well-educated

individuals used lawn chemicals more than their less wealthy counterparts—despite knowing

their negative impacts—because they desired increased property values and ‘the perfect lawn.’

Within the high-status, wealthy sectors that patron landscaping, there is also a use of

land to express group membership. In a Westchester county village (where residents share the

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SCD Framework Paper

same high socioeconomic status) a visual boundary between two principal landscaping types

also represented a boundary between social networks. Thus the “landscape in which an

individual lives is a major factor in his self-perception and in the image he presents to society

(Duncan, 1973).” This ‘image’ is often given priority over healthy land systems.

Enduring cultural tastes

Vancouver contains immigrants from all over the world (see fig. 3). It is not surprising

then, that varying cultural backgrounds often influence landscaping preferences. Some ‘cultural

tastes’ are summarized in Table 4. Exploring cultural preferences can help illuminate why

landscapes that are promoted for their sustainability, would be unappealing to some individuals.

What needs to change and how

Vancouver’s ‘Greenest City 2020 Action Plan’ has major implications for how the

landscaping industry must change if the city’s goals are to be met.

While Roseland, 2012, argues that we need policies when personal interests conflict with

the needs of the commons, Groundwire’s ‘theory of change’ takes a more ground-up approach.

Sustainability can only be achieved when communities are engaged, public officials and

business leaders are collaborated with, and consumer behaviour, business practices and policies

compliment each other.

Conclusion

Social components of sustainability have the ability to gravely impact the overarching

environment. Ideas about work, lack of ecological knowledge, social stratification and cultural

tastes can impede sustainability. However, if connections are made between landscaping choices

and their impacts, and if all stakeholders are involved; productive and healthy landscapes can be

achieved, while eliminating/reducing pollution and environmental degradation.

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SCD Framework Paper

Figures

Fig. 1: Concentric circle model for sustainable community development by Sarkissian, et al., 2009, adapted from Lowe 1994. This model is in keeping with Wilkin’s, 1996, understanding of ‘human ecosystems:’ an ecosystem utilizes energy, biotic and abiotic materials to produce and reproduce order of matter, energy, and information. This is all driven and/or constrained by the physical environment. “Everything you see around you…is ultimately the product of an ecosystem.” The largest part of what you “see and deal with every day are products of human ecosystems.” “Manipulation or management for human purposes makes an ecosystem a human ecosystem.” Hence why this model understands society, culture, and the economy as operating within the environment while each of these elements affect one another.

Table 1: Trends towards demands for ‘sustainability’ in Canadian landscaping, according to the 2011 Canadian Nursery Landscaping Associations survey of 92 members of the sector

Survey question by the CNLA Predominant responses

What have you determined to be a trend in your business in the past 5 years?

Respondents indicated that clients have expected a higher quality of work and materials and that there has been a steady general growth with increasing emphasis on organic and natural gardening and with landscape projects being completed in phases

Where do you see the potential of growth in the industry in the next 5-10 years?

Members reported that the areas for potential growth will be focused on environmental design, organic or green sustainable practices and being able to offer diversified services, a “one-stop-shop” for all types of landscape services.

What is the primary environmental landscape concern of your clients?

According to almost 39% of members who responded, the primary client environmental landscape concern is limiting the use of pesticides/herbicides. Almost 18% of members have clients whose main concerns are

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increasing “green” practices and applying the principles of sustainability and conservation.

Do you recycle construction and or installation waste?

87.0% of respondents recycle construction and/or installation waste

Do you compost garden waste? 81.2% of respondents compost garden waste. Upwards trends in respondents that recycle both construction and garden waste are positive. Getting greener every year!

Table 2: Efforts being made towards ‘sustainable’ landscaping in Vancouver

Government initiatives Approach to ‘sustainability’

Existing businesses found online using

said approach

Vancouver’s Greenest City 2020 Action Plan: http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Greenest-city-action-plan.pdf

Goals the city has that effect landscaping:

-Increase composting-Proliferate a green economy-Zero waste-Increase access to nature-Increase local food assets by at least 50% over 2010 levels,-Protect food producing land & biodiversity.

Organic Landscapers

(Note: ‘organic landscaping’ is a contentious title. Some landscapers feel that if bylaws are followed, and sprays not applied, then all landscaping is ‘organic.’ However, to be certified under SOUL, landscape professionals must demonstrate “extensive experience and advanced training in the principles and practices of Organic Land Care (SOUL, 2013).”

-Alive and Well Organic Gardening

-Aloe Designs

-Anderson Garden Services

-Ann Talbot-Kelly

-Arbor Restoration & Maintenance

-Avanti Garden Services

-Several others offering ‘alternative’ organic methods or agreeing to not use chemicals

Vancouver Green Capital provides information to homeowners to help them with environmentally friendly landscaping: http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/green-landscaping-guide.pdf

‘Sustainable landscape’ approach

Perrenial Pleasures Eco Garden Design

‘Permaculture’ approach Senga Landscape Architecture

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Table 3: Summary of negative environmental impacts from landscaping

Environmental issue Details

Greenhouse gas emissions The landscape service sector employs ~15,000 people in BC (whysall, 2013), which amounts to thousands of trucks on BC roads ~5 days a week. Many of these trucks require diesel and are in disrepair. Fuel-guzzling leaf blowers, edge trimmers and lawn mowers, are also used multiple times a day every workweek.

Toxic chemicals Landscapers may use fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and miticides that contain persistent toxic compounds, which end up in water system and homes (Vancouver Green Capital, 2010). While Vancouver has bylaws restricting such chemicals, some landscapers and homeowners may continue to spray clandestinely.

Water waste “Even the most efficient automatic sprinkler systems waste a minimum of 30% of the water they deliver” and become increasingly inefficient without inspection. And, any type of irrigation is wasteful if the water does not get to where it is needed, when it is needed (Vancouver Green Capital, 2010).

Soil degradation Over-cultivation of soil degrades its integrity, but may be done because it is the quickest way to remove weeds. It is common for clients to want open garden beds with exposed soil, yet “the fewer roots and leaves to soften rain and run-off, the more soil erodes (Meadows, 1999).”

Unnecessary greenwaste & composting off-site

Often plants like laurel hedges (which grow very large) are planted where small or medium hedges are desired. They are then cut back repeatedly and the trimmings hauled to the dump. This creates greenwaste and diverts the nutrients of the ‘waste’ to the compost depot (which uses fossil fuels to produce soil) rather than allowing them to cycle back into the garden (Schamehorn, 2012).

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SCD Framework Paper

Fig. 2: The results of the 2011 NSLA survey question to Canadian Landscape employers 74.1% replied they had difficulty finding skilled labour. Only 13.6% of employers had staff that were certified horticultural technicians. 86.4% did not have certified staff. This has implications for landscape sustainability, as these employees do not know what the most sustainable choices in the field are.

Figure 3: Frequency of immigrants from China, the UK, Portugal, Italy and France living permanently in Vancouver in 2012These countries were chosen because they are the ones whose ‘cultural tastes’ are elaborated on in this paper. It should be noted that while China provides the highest number of immigrants living in Vancouver, it is followed by: the Philippines, India, Pakistan, the US, France, Iran, the UK. Numbers from Italy and Portugal are quite low on the list (Citizens and Immigration Canada, 2012).

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SCD Framework Paper

Table 4: Traditional cultural tastes as described by academic sources Let it be noted that the author understands cultural influences are complex. This table refers only to broad landscaping trends that were widely applied in the noted regions.

Country/region Related cultural tastes through time

China Traditional home layouts closed the family off from society and brought the outdoors into the family's private courtyard. This was usually where “the rigidity of Confucianism gave way to the experiential philosophy of Taoism.” An artistic abstraction of nature was ideal, and where trees factor minimally into Chinese gardens, water, stone, and buildings are essential. Thus, today to the Chinese immigrant in Vancouver, recreations of nature might seem “empty or uninteresting (Fraser & Kenney, 2000).”

Britain In the 18th century, “the connection between political ideology, landscapes and building was much more closely linked.” For Whigs, ‘natural’ gardens represented a healthy balance between the power of the monarch and the power of parliament (Wild, 2013). The industrial revolution further perpetuated a romanticizing of ‘nature.’ The English school of landscape architecture brought country aesthetics into the city to minimize pollution and improve visual appeal. This was ‘the Garden City Movement,’ which gained a following in North America (Fraser & Kenney, 2000). Still, even though the ‘natural’ look was desired, getting it may have contradicted landscape health: “where rivers were absent, artificial ones would be created...drainage schemes were also often designed to reduce boggy ground…ensuring the landscape was suitable for walking (Wild, 2013).” See fig. 4

Italy, France, Netherlands French style gardens had grand lines and rigid geometry, and for British Whigs of the 18th century, such controlled gardens represented centralized power of absolute monarchy. See fig. 5

Mediterranean (Portugal, Italy) Mediterranean soil has been cultivated for millennia making it fragile. As a result, great ingenuity is needed for production. “From the

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SCD Framework Paper

Middle Ages onward, the areas surrounding cities in the Mediterranean were composed of small-scale intensive agricultural plots.” After World War II, many Mediterranean immigrants came to Canada and continued to grow grapes, fruit trees, and vegetables in backyards. “A naturalized landscape, which is the goal of some contemporary North American greenspace planning, may seem foreign to people coming from a land where the natural landscape vanished centuries ago (Fraser & Kenney, 2000).”

Fig. 4: Painting of a typical 18th century British gardenNote: several acres of land have been cleared, but the landscape is to remain appearing ‘natural.’

Fig. 5: Example of 17th century ornamental garden with French, Italian and Dutch influences, thereby showing the use of geometry and a control over nature

Resources

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Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. (2011). 2011 Landscape Canada Survey Results.Retrieved fromhttp://www.canadanursery.com/Storage/50/6030_Landscape_Canada_Survey_2011_Results.df

Citizens and Immigration Canada (2012). Facts and figures 2012 – Immigration overview:Permanent and temporary residents. Retrieved fromhttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2012/permanent/10.asp

City Farmer. (2013, September 10). Organic Landscapers/Gardeners in Greater Vancouver.Retrieved from http://www.cityfarmer.org/orglandscape.html

City of Vancouver’s Greenest City 2020 Action Plan. Retrieved fromhttp://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Greenest-city-action-plan.pdf

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Schumacher, E. F. (2010). Buddhist economics. Jackson, & H. Norberg-Hodge (Eds.), GaianEconomics: living well within planetary limits (pp. 114-120). Hampshire, UK: PermanentPublications.

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