Abstract

Complexity notions, i.e. ideas or methods that incorporate concepts and rationales from complexity science as analogies or models, frequently appear in landscape architectural discourses. However, debates have arisen about the legitimacy and relevance of complexity notions in landscape architecture. Are complexity notions an ephemeral fashion or derived from the inherent needs of landscape architecture research and practice? What role do complexity notions play in the development of landscape architecture? To answer these questions, we conducted a three-phase review of the complexity notions in landscape architectural theories and practices since early 20th century. We concluded that complexity notions in landscape architecture are a long-standing and increasingly significant subject rather than a passing fad. Complexity notions serve as an exploratory system rather than tyrannical dogma. Addressing the increasing complexity of landscapes and inspired by up-to-date complexity theories, incorporating adaptive learning processes is becoming a new paradigm in landscape research and practice.

摘要

复杂性概念，即将复杂性科学的概念和基本原理作为类比或模型结合起来的想法或方法，经常出现在景观设计的论述中。然而，关于景观设计中复杂性概念的合法性和相关性的争论已经出现。复杂性概念是一种短暂的时尚还是源于景观设计研究和实践的内在需求？复杂性概念在风景园林的发展中发挥什么作用？为了回答这些问题，我们对20世纪初以来景观设计理论和实践中的复杂性概念进行了三个阶段的回顾。我们得出的结论是，景观设计中的复杂性概念是一个长期存在且日益重要的主题，而不是一时的时尚。复杂性概念是一种探索性的系统，而不是专制的教条。为了解决景观日益复杂的问题，并受到最新复杂性理论的启发，结合适应性学习过程正在成为景观研究和实践的新范式。