ABDALLAH HAMMAD (Iscpal, Palestine): SUSTAINABLE, LOCALLY ROOTED LANDSCAPE PRACTICES.

Introduction to Sustainable Landscape Design

Overview of the Session

• The session begins with a warm welcome, indicating it is the fifth lecture focused on sustainable landscape design and applicable techniques.

• The introduction highlights that this seminar is part of a broader initiative by the Belgian Palestinian Green Agency, emphasizing teamwork between Birzeit University and Belgian partners.

Program Structure

• The program consists of three lectures, with this being the second one. It aims to share knowledge about sustainable practices in landscape architecture.

• Engineer Abdullah Hamad is introduced as a project architect at Landscapes for Green Palestine, bringing over 30 years of experience in agricultural economics and environmental sustainability.

Key Insights from Engineer Abdullah Hamad

Expertise and Experience

• Engineer Hamad expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share insights gained from experiences in Palestinian territories, both within Israel and the West Bank.

• He outlines his work's foundation in agro-business practices leading to infrastructure development related to irrigation systems and landscaping.

Challenges Faced

• Discussion includes practical challenges faced in Palestine regarding heritage preservation, water management, and environmental interactions.

• Emphasis on sustainable practices that serve local communities while integrating technology learned from previous projects.

Sustainable Practices in Agriculture

Current Agricultural Practices

• A focus on traditional farming methods observed during wheat harvesting illustrates how these practices are evolving amidst urban development pressures.

• Visual examples show labor-intensive methods used for wheat harvesting, highlighting economic constraints faced by local farmers.

Addressing Economic Challenges

• Discussion points out that despite hard work, returns are minimal due to limited resources affecting local economies significantly.

• Highlighting issues such as labor shortages and water scarcity emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to enhance productivity sustainably.

Heritage Preservation and Land Development

Techniques for Sustainable Land Use

• The conversation shifts towards land preparation techniques essential for sustainable agriculture or construction while preserving soil integrity against erosion caused by heavy rains.

• Practical examples illustrate how young workers engage in land development processes aimed at either agricultural enhancement or residential building projects.

Environmental Impact Considerations

• Simple yet effective practices are discussed that can positively impact biodiversity while minimizing environmental degradation during land development activities.

Understanding Water Needs in Palestinian Landscapes

Importance of Knowledge in Landscape Design

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of knowledge regarding water needs for Palestinian natural scenes, whether it involves trees, shrubs, or ground cover. This understanding is crucial for effective execution and landscape design.

Native vs. Adaptive Plants

• When working with native plants, the speaker notes that they must consider annual rainfall averages (e.g., 500 mm in Ramallah) to ensure adequate water supply for plants like olive or cypress trees.

• The discussion shifts to adaptive plants which may require more water than native species. Awareness of these varying needs is essential for sustainable landscaping practices.

Calculating Water Requirements

• The speaker highlights the necessity of precise calculations regarding water requirements for different plant types, which can range significantly from 500 ml to over 500,000 ml annually.

• Understanding rainfall patterns and total water costs is vital when designing landscapes that incorporate various colors and plant types while ensuring sustainability.

Community Practices and Stakeholder Involvement

• The importance of community practices is discussed, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders such as owners, developers, engineers, and others to create a shared vision for landscape development.

Historical Context and Sustainable Construction Methods

• The integration of historical context into land development is crucial. Sustainable construction methods should reflect traditional practices while adapting to current realities through enhancements that meet contemporary needs.

Designing with Local Flora

Connection Between Plants and Palestinian Identity

• The speaker discusses selecting indigenous plants that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also culturally significant by linking them to Palestine's identity through their names and characteristics.

• Utilizing rainwater effectively in designs adds both historical value and emotional significance to the local flora being used in landscaping projects.

Challenges in Land Development

• There are challenges related to land development due to restrictions on building permits under occupation conditions. This complicates efforts toward sustainable urban planning within Palestinian territories.

Water Management Strategies

Efficient Use of Resources

• Effective management strategies include using ground cover like red gravel which aids in reducing evaporation rates while enhancing aesthetic appeal through filtration processes during irrigation.

• Emphasizing efficient irrigation techniques can lead to reduced overall water consumption while maintaining healthy landscapes amidst challenging environmental conditions.

Addressing Urban Planning Issues

• Urban planners face difficulties due to restrictions on land use imposed by occupation policies. These limitations necessitate innovative approaches towards developing public spaces above restricted areas (Area C).

• Despite individual efforts being limited by external factors, there remains a strong belief in the need for development initiatives that honor traditional practices while addressing modern challenges faced by communities.

Urban and Environmental Design in Palestine

Individual Practices for Development

• Emphasizes the importance of individual practices in developing remote areas, highlighting the challenges faced in investment and land use.

• Discusses expanding outside urban centers while maintaining Palestinian ownership of land, considering political and environmental dimensions.

Landscape Design Considerations

• Outlines a systematic approach to planting based on categories such as productive plants versus aesthetic ones, with specific orientations for optimal growth.

• Explains the significance of sunlight exposure for citrus trees, detailing how wind direction affects flowering and fruit production.

Plant Selection Strategies

• Describes strategic placement of ground cover plants to maximize sun exposure while using windbreakers like almonds to protect against strong winds.

• Highlights the integration of landscape design with architecture, emphasizing ecological considerations in plant selection based on natural conditions.

Water Management Challenges

• Addresses water scarcity issues affecting plant choices, advocating for drought-resistant species like rosemary and carob that require less water.

• Stresses the need for careful planning regarding water resources when selecting plants for landscaping projects.

Hierarchical Planting Techniques

• Introduces a hierarchical approach to plant selection that enhances visual communication from ground level to sky level within landscapes.

• Discusses understanding optimal growth conditions for various plants to create harmonious landscapes that cater to different levels of visibility.

Environmental Adaptation and Maintenance

• Notes the importance of seasonal changes in leaf drop among deciduous trees, which can create diverse visual experiences throughout the year.

• Points out that many local plants are adaptive but require significant water resources, complicating public sector landscaping efforts due to high costs associated with irrigation.

Addressing Water Scarcity Issues

• Highlights ongoing challenges related to water availability even in private sector projects despite financial resources being available.

• Calls attention to traditional agricultural methods reliant on rainwater harvesting as a sustainable solution amidst current water shortages.

The Importance of Sustainable Practices

• Concludes by stressing that without consistent access to water, sustaining plant life becomes increasingly difficult; thus, innovative solutions must be explored.

Sustainable Design and Digital Transformation in Landscape Architecture

The Role of Typical Tools in Sustainable Design

• The speaker emphasizes that typical tools like diagrams or images are insufficient for discussing sustainable design, as the role extends beyond just presenting skills and knowledge.

• Execution, management, maintenance, and community engagement are critical components that must be integrated into the design process to ensure sustainability.

Integration of Digital Solutions

• A demonstration of integration between digital tools and information shared with clients is introduced, highlighting collaboration across various sectors including private, public, and non-profit organizations.

• The importance of digital transformation is discussed; it allows for comprehensive exploration of project data such as water requirements for landscaping.

Ensuring Durability in Design

• The speaker discusses how to guarantee durability in landscape execution by providing interactive solutions that allow stakeholders to oversee all aspects of a project.

• An interactive link enables owners and supervisors to access precise construction information about each object within the project.

Interactive Information Management

• Users can navigate through detailed information about landscaping elements (e.g., grass types), ensuring they understand space requirements and maintenance needs even if not physically present on-site.

• The interaction between designers and homeowners is crucial for sustainable transformation; this occurs through smart objects on digital platforms.

Enhancing Project Communication

• Traditional methods often lead to uncertainty regarding project execution; thus, providing digital tools enhances communication between project owners and managers.

• By utilizing existing software solutions rather than creating new ones from scratch, costs can be reduced while still offering valuable resources to clients.

Practical Applications in Landscape Projects

• Examples include public parks where every object is digitized; users can read specific details about trees or other features directly from their devices.

• This approach allows various stakeholders—architects, engineers, facility managers—to access both traditional plans and interactive 3D models for better assessment.

Conclusion: Integrated Knowledge Sharing

• The discussion concludes with an overview of how agricultural knowledge can be transformed into specialized digital insights within landscape architecture projects.

• Emphasizing interconnectedness among all elements ensures a sustainable solution throughout the project's lifecycle.

Project Management and Stakeholder Engagement in Landscape Design

Importance of Maintenance and Management

• The landscape project is composed of 50% maintenance, emphasizing that successful execution relies heavily on ongoing management rather than just the design phase.

• Engaging all stakeholders is crucial; they can provide valuable insights or highlight important information that needs to be modified or emphasized.

Data Utilization and Knowledge Sharing

• Data collection is essential for effective project management, relying on theories and knowledge acquired from academic institutions.

• A comprehensive database should include plant requirements, water consumption, and potential sensitivities (e.g., allergies), facilitating sustainable solutions for users.

Collaboration with Municipal Entities

• The discussion highlights a lack of experience among engineers regarding technical tools like BIM (Building Information Modeling), which are vital for modern landscape projects.

• Questions arise about the relationship between designers and clients, particularly when dealing with public entities versus private clients.

Recommendations for Urban Planning

• Suggestions are made for municipalities to implement strict regulations regarding land use to prevent vacant lots from becoming health hazards.

• It’s proposed that vacant land should incur costs or taxes to encourage development rather than remaining unused.

Sustainable Development Practices

• Emphasizing the need for laws that promote green spaces within urban areas while also providing incentives for developers who incorporate sustainability into their designs.

• There’s a call for rethinking building regulations to support green initiatives, suggesting bonuses for developers who contribute positively to community infrastructure.

This structured summary captures key discussions around project management in landscape design, focusing on stakeholder engagement, data utilization, collaboration with municipal entities, urban planning recommendations, and sustainable development practices.

Sustainable Development and Agricultural Practices in Palestine

Importance of Local Investment in Agriculture

• The discussion emphasizes the need for efficient resource management, suggesting that instead of lengthy processes, a streamlined approach can reduce effort in gathering information about local agricultural practices.

• It highlights the importance of creating attractive cities that serve both residents and tourists, advocating for inter-city cooperation to develop sustainable solutions benefiting all parties involved.

Water and Food Security Challenges

• Acknowledges significant issues regarding water and food security in Palestine, particularly focusing on wheat production challenges due to limited machinery availability.

• Discusses the high risks farmers face when attempting interventions alone, stressing the necessity for community support systems to mitigate losses.

Community Engagement and Responsibility

• Stresses the importance of not depleting existing resources but rather improving upon them through collaborative efforts among community members.

• Addresses skepticism from international observers regarding local focus on agricultural topics amidst political issues, asserting that every effort counts towards improvement.

Educational Recommendations for Future Generations

• The speaker reflects on their journey from student to expert, proposing educational reforms that integrate practical skills into design curricula for future architects and landscape designers.

• Suggestion made for incorporating professional insights into academic settings to enhance students' technical knowledge and real-world application.

Practical Applications in Landscape Management

• Advocates for hands-on projects where students manage small plots of land throughout their studies, fostering commitment and responsibility towards environmental stewardship.

• Emphasizes collaboration between universities, municipalities, professionals, and students to create effective programs addressing local needs while providing practical experience.

This structured summary captures key discussions around sustainable development practices within Palestinian agriculture while highlighting educational recommendations aimed at fostering responsible future leaders.

Insights on Hands-On Experience in Landscape Architecture

Importance of Practical Experience

• The speaker emphasizes the necessity of hands-on experience in education, particularly for students studying landscape architecture. They highlight that personal background and family involvement in engineering fields have shaped their understanding of practical applications.

• The speaker shares their journey from working as a laborer to gaining insights into irrigation and landscape design, stressing the value of applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

• They note that hands-on experiences allow students to save time and gain valuable skills by experimenting directly on-site, which is crucial for effective learning.

Bridging Academia and Reality

• The speaker reflects on the disconnect between academic teachings and real-life applications, suggesting that this gap can lead to frustration among students who expect more practical engagement.

• They express gratitude towards professors who recognize this issue, indicating that academia sometimes overlooks the realities faced by professionals in the field.

Landscape Design Perspectives

• The discussion shifts to how architectural designs often lack realistic representations; many designs presented are either sections or phases rather than comprehensive plans.

• A comparison is made between student perceptions of land use versus actual practices observed in native American contexts, highlighting cultural connections with landscapes.

Technical Skills Development

• Students are encouraged to participate actively in technical aspects of projects, emphasizing that lectures alone cannot convey all necessary skills effectively.

• The speaker offers to share technical drawings from a project as an example of what comprehensive documentation should look like for successful presentations.

Sustainable Solutions and Practical Applications

• Emphasis is placed on creating detailed plans that consider existing conditions while also addressing future needs through sustainable practices such as water collection systems.

• The importance of using appropriate materials for environmental sustainability is discussed. It’s noted that solutions must be tailored based on specific site conditions rather than generic approaches.

• Finally, the speaker stresses the need for a holistic view when designing landscapes, ensuring all elements work together cohesively without compromising sustainability principles.

Discussion on Project Design and Local Flora

Importance of Material Sharing

• The speaker emphasizes the value of sharing materials with participants in a competition, suggesting that it could greatly benefit those involved.

• Highlights the significance of showcasing various aspects within project designs, encouraging participants to notice multiple features in their concepts.

Project Planning and Historical Context

• Discusses the necessity for a comprehensive plan that includes interventions across different zones, ensuring clarity from macro to micro levels.

• Stresses the importance of having a master plan that narrates the project's development and outlines key interventions effectively.

Water Management Strategies

• Explores methods for rainwater collection, discussing optimal locations for water storage and the need for strong arguments supporting these choices.

• Mentions potential challenges in implementing sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting due to geographical considerations.

Native Plant Research Challenges

• Shares experiences related to finding native plants in Palestine, specifically mentioning difficulties encountered while searching for specific species like Tilia (linden tree).

• Describes an encounter with a collector who had rare native plants, highlighting how local knowledge can aid conservation efforts.

Integration of History and Ecology in Projects

• Advocates for linking historical narratives with ecological projects to enhance their relevance and impact on local communities.

• Emphasizes the importance of practical application in design work, aiming for sustainability through real-world connections between flora, infrastructure, and community needs.

Closing Remarks on Collaboration and Future Initiatives

• The speaker expresses gratitude towards participants and highlights the importance of local expertise being showcased at events.

• Concludes by envisioning future collaborations among students and professionals aimed at creating sustainable solutions within Palestinian contexts.