This paper presents the concept of a spatial landscape grammar. The concept formally draws parallels between the structures of linguistics and the character of real-world landscapes. Landscape grammar can be used to define a landscape's character by using a vocabulary of landscape object types and spatial syntax rules, and these can be used to generate landscape scenes rendered in two or three dimensions through the use of a generative and interpretive production system and modern computing technology. The spatial counterparts of the linguistic concepts of vocabulary and grammar rules are formalized and the basis of the landscape production system is presented. The paper concludes with a short discussion of actual landscape scene generation as a prelude to a companion paper that describes a full implementation of the grammar and interpreter for a residential neighbourhood in Bermuda.

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In a previous paper, we presented landscape grammar as a framework in which to define the character of a landscape and we used it to generate simulated landscape scenes in order to assess visually the character definition. In this paper we describe the implementation of a landscape grammar in a software environment and its application to a residential neighbourhood. The architecture and functionality of the implementation are described with examples of elements from the landscape vocabulary and rule definitions. The system is applied to define the character of a neighbourhood in Bermuda. Following an outline of the landscape vocabulary, the spatial grammar rules are presented in the form of an iterative construction of a two-dimensional landscape scene which is then presented in a three-dimensional form. Finally, the grammar is modified to demonstrate the effect of imposing hypothetical planning regulations on the site.