Ian McHarg

Ian McHarg was a pioneering landscape architect and environmentalist, best known for his innovative approach to land use planning. In his landmark book, "Design with Nature," published in 1969, he advocated for integrating ecological principles into urban planning to harmonize human development with natural systems. McHarg developed the concept of "overlay mapping," a technique that layers various environmental factors to assess land suitability for different uses. His work significantly influenced sustainable design practices and emphasized the importance of preserving ecosystems while meeting human needs, making him a key figure in the environmental movement and landscape architecture.