Fencerows: Reinforcing Regional Identity in Urban Design

Date

2018-05-08

Authors

Laszczuk, Michal

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

Fencerows constitute dominant visual elements of the historic rural landscape and hold potential to be applied in the design of urban and suburban sites to reinforce regional identity in Southern Ontario. A survey of fencerows was developed through fieldwork resulting in a typology that summarizes the visual and functional characteristics of these linear features. The typology was applied in the design of a high-density development site in Mississauga, Ontario through an interpretive design strategy that translates the functional and visual principles of fencerows into designed planting assemblages. An assessment of the characteristics and feasibility of the designs demonstrates that they contain a series of defining features which reference the principal components of fencerows. Furthermore, the assessment demonstrates that the designs can be adapted in the urban environment in accordance to several municipal and urban design guidelines from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Description

Keywords

Planting Design, Cultural Landscapes, Interpretive Design, Placelessness, Southern Ontario, Mississauga

Citation