Landscape Architecture Frontiers

Landscape performance evaluation plays an important role in Landscape Architecture’s transformation to an evidence-based science. Most of existing relevant studies focus on the selection of evaluation indicators and methods, or description of the sustainability characteristics of completed projects, while in-depth theoretical discussion on its development processes and essential connotation is still in shortage. By tracing back and comparing the theoretical characteristics and development relationships of the three major systems — POE, SITES, and LPS, this paper clarifies the evolution of landscape performance evaluation towards serving evidence-based design, and further expounds its connotation of discovering the causality of design strategies and benefit results. Finally, two research interests, “feedback analysis of design efficiency” and “producing practical and operable knowledge” are proposed with significance as a key to support high-performance landscape design practices with reliable evidences.