Publications used in the Early Years of Landscape Architecture: Seven Nordic Scholars' Selection

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the theoretical approaches and intellectual traditions in landscape architecture in a Nordic context. The aim was to identify some of the literary sources that supported academic pioneers. In focus was the exchange of ideas in the Nordic countries thanks to a common understanding of languages. Seven pioneering scholars from the Nordic countries were invited to a symposium called Urkunder & husgudar (Records & House gods) held in Uppsala at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in April 2012. The scholars elaborated on the influences on their work during their careers. The reference list of each lecture was loaded into a database and identical referencing was given special attention. The amount of references was 159, and 15 of these were reported by more than one informant. References to Ian L. McHarg and Carl Theodor (C.Th.) Sørensen were the most frequent. A library classification system of the 15 references indicated keywords of which the most prominent was City planning. Other significant elements had to do with gardening, garden art, and nature or landscape management.