LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND NEUROPLASTICITY: A ROLE FOR DESIGN IN ADDRESSING THE IMPACT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
Catherine McCord
Auraria Library Digital Repository5/13/2017·Read paper
Abstract
This paper will examine the current research on early childhood trauma, and bridge this research with landscape architectural design practices through deliberate, considered application of horticultural therapy. Specifically, current research on brain resiliency outlines the ways in which emotional and behavioral support can be achieved through nature-based therapies. Thus, the spatial and sensory integration practices associated with horticultural therapy connects this research to design practices.
In order to effectively support people who have experienced trauma, landscape architects must have a close understanding of how the materials and spatial compositions they select impact users. A designer’s ability to thoughtfully construct space to serve the specific needs of those seeking emotional and behavioral support will be strengthened by understanding the ways in which trauma alters the brain, the resiliency of the brain to heal through nature-based interventions and design aspects that will support this healing. To fully understand the potential landscape architects have to positively support treatment services, a cross-disciplinary dialogue that explores the incredible possibilities of trauma-related brain science is critical to developing a shared understanding on how to take the specificity of that information into account in our work.
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