Economic Benefits: Metrics and Methods for Landscape Performance Assessment

Abstract

This paper introduces an expanding research frontier in the landscape architecture discipline, landscape performance research, which embraces the scientific dimension of landscape architecture through evidence-based designs that are anchored in quantitative performance assessment. Specifically, this paper summarizes metrics and methods for determining landscape-derived economic benefits that have been utilized in the Landscape Performance Series (LPS) initiated by the Landscape Architecture Foundation. This paper identifies 24 metrics and 32 associated methods for the assessment of economic benefits found in 82 published case studies. Common issues arising through research in quantifying economic benefits for the LPS are discussed and the various approaches taken by researchers are clarified. The paper also provides an analysis of three case studies from the LPS that are representative of common research methods used to quantify economic benefits. The paper suggests that high(er) levels of sustainability in the built environment require the integration of economic benefits into landscape performance assessment portfolios in order to forecast project success and reduce uncertainties. Therefore, evidence-based design approaches increase the scientific rigor of landscape architecture education and research, and elevate the status of the profession.

Landscape performance evaluation in socio-ecological practice: current status and prospects

“…It should be noted that LPS case studies document the impacts on sustainability, which often occurred prior to projects entering the CSI program. However, in other cases, it was the strong evidence of performance benefits that triggered positive changes or initiatives moving toward institutional changes (Wang et al 2016;Canfield et al 2018).…”

Identifying Key Criteria for Quality Assessment of Landscape Architecture Projects

“…Economic quality of landscape architecture projects is analysed from several overlapping perspectives. Economic benefits are assessed by the evidence-based design anchored in quantitative performance assessment of landscape design [9]. The results obtained by the principal component analysis and factor analysis methods revealed that the specific character and unique landform of landscape can be quantitatively described to underline its specific differences from other nearby settlements [10].…”

Landscape Performance for Coordinated Development of Rural Communities & Small-Towns Based on “Ecological Priority and All-Area Integrated Development”: Six Case Studies in East China’s Zhejiang Province

“…Based on the review and analysis of these four evaluation systems mentioned above, the new comprehensive evaluation system includes first-level indicators (economic performance, social performance, and ecological performance [19]) from the "landscape performance" evaluation system as the key performance framework because of its simplicity and clarity to holistically summarize landscape performance. Selected second-level and third-level indicators from the three existing China evaluation systems were included to cover the characteristics of the regional environment.…”