Seminar Topics
Content
TOPIC 1: THERAPEUTIC LANDSCAPES AND ITS ROLE IN ANALYSING THE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS: Most of the time we depend upon manmade solutions to overcome our physical and psychological stress. Does nature play important role in this? If yes, how they are manifested? In ancient times, the importance of the natural environment and its effect on man is evident from various examples in the past e.g. Vedic period. Nature was thought to have restorative powers and healing spaces were nearly always found in nature.... in the form of a healing spring, a sacred grove, a special garden and lot more. Most of the times the places for healing used to be part of monasteries, temples, forest where plants , water, soil and prayer were the focus of healing. Nature used to be the source of treatment. But as technology advanced, man s concentration was more towards build environment rather than on open spaces/ nature. Recently, studies have found the positive benefits of outdoor spaces. Now medical science have accepted the introduction of nature into healthcare setting in the form of gardens (contemplative, restorative, healing gardens and therapeutic gardens) Therapeutic landscape its being a healing landscapes that have in common a consistent tendency to foster restoration from stress and have other positive influence on person, which suggests more comfort and the individual then work towards a certain goal or outcome. The concept of a therapeutic landscape introduced by Gesler (1992, 1993, 1996 and 1998) is to describe the ways that people have traditionally sought healing powers in certain locations. In the broadest sense, therapeutic landscapes are those changing places, settings, situations, locales, and milieus that encompass both the physical and psychological environments associated with treatment or healing; they are reputed to have an enduring reputation for achieving physical, mental, and spiritual healing (Williams, 1998: 1193). As such, they bring together both health and place , in analysing the way in which certain places influence health status potentially either in a positive or negative manner. How does therapeutic landscape help to provide better environment for children especially autistic children? Landscapes have a special place in healing environments for children because of the importance of play in the child s world. Outdoor play is a critical factor in healthy child development. The quality of the outdoor play environment can affect the child s perception of it and the range and depth of play. Nature plays an important part in play in the development of the child. Intervention of play leaders/therapists can extend the range of play. Children of all abilities have an equal right to play opportunities. Indoor/outdoor links are important in encouraging use of the outdoor environment. Autism is a Autism Spectral Disorder in which a person has an inability to relate to others, isolation, an apparent resistance to big objects, extreme fears, in some case, they ve excellent memory. Apart from build environment how open spaces can help in the development of such children, how elements such as colour, texture, form and scale in designing such landscape can help them. METHODOLOGY: To study the role of landscapes and their effect on health outcomes from past till now. How can such spaces support an alternative method of treatment process. Case study: Autism. Guidelines for designing Therapeutic landscapes in order to create an environment taht will enhance the therapies and care.
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TOPIC 2: LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT FOR BURIAL GROUNDS FROM AN ECOLOGICAL PERSEPECTIVE Burial grounds play an important role during the last rites of life among humans. The environment which is being provided in such places becomes important for people to remember their lost beloved one. There are many values associated with burial spaces which could be religious, cultural, social, personal and psychological which together build the character of such places. Today the condition of burial ground is very critical in urban areas. People are moving towards different methods of last rites to solve the problem of scarcity of burial space. These places have no other function apart from the last rites and such sites are very valuable in urban areas. The process of last rites involves money and resources which should be re-directed in a more eco-conscious and emotional way, as these places not only helps one to associate with the concept of life and death but there are ecological values and processes which are involved in it, which would be the scope of my study. Natural Burial is the process in which the body is returned to the earth in a manner that does not inhibit decomposition and allows the body to recycle naturally. There should be environmentally sustainable alternatives to existing funeral practice. The role of decomposition of the bodies plays a very important role in the nutrient cycles involved in any ecosystem. There factors which affect the environmental impact of burial and cremation. Issues related to emissions and energy use, ground conditions, mechanical excavation and the maintenance of the cemetery must be taken into account . Nowadays, one of the most dramatic changes taking place in the burial ground design or planning is the growing trend of GREEN BURIAL. In which the use of plants, alternate materials its role as a memorial which would help establish and protect the natural habitat, while providing a fulfilling burial rituals. Can these spaces serves as a transitional ecosystem which buffers site from development or urban areas?
METHODOLOGY y To understand the history and methods of burial system. y To study the social, cultural values associated with burial spaces. y Pros and cons existing system associated with the burial process. y To understand the role of burial spaces in urban fabric. y Problems associated with the burial spaces in urban areas. y To understand the management of such spaces to enhance the values in urban spces. y To understand the relation between the burial spaces and the ecosystem. y To understand the processes involved in the decomposition of bodies and ecology. y To develop the sustainable relationship between burial spaces and ecology. OBJECTIVES
y To understand the landscape management of burial sites from an ecological perspective y Importance of such spaces in the ecosystem. Alternative methods of burial process considering the cultural sentiments.
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TOPIC 2: LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT FOR BURIAL GROUNDS FROM AN ECOLOGICAL PERSEPECTIVE Burial grounds play an important role during the last rites of life among humans. The environment which is being provided in such places becomes important for people to remember their lost beloved one. There are many values associated with burial spaces which could be religious, cultural, social, personal and psychological which together build the character of such places. Today the condition of burial ground is very critical in urban areas. People are moving towards different methods of last rites to solve the problem of scarcity of burial space. These places have no other function apart from the last rites and such sites are very valuable in urban areas. The process of last rites involves money and resources which should be re-directed in a more eco-conscious and emotional way, as these places not only helps one to associate with the concept of life and death but there are ecological values and processes which are involved in it, which would be the scope of my study. Natural Burial is the process in which the body is returned to the earth in a manner that does not inhibit decomposition and allows the body to recycle naturally. There should be environmentally sustainable alternatives to existing funeral practice. The role of decomposition of the bodies plays a very important role in the nutrient cycles involved in any ecosystem. There factors which affect the environmental impact of burial and cremation. Issues related to emissions and energy use, ground conditions, mechanical excavation and the maintenance of the cemetery must be taken into account . Nowadays, one of the most dramatic changes taking place in the burial ground design or planning is the growing trend of GREEN BURIAL. In which the use of plants, alternate materials its role as a memorial which would help establish and protect the natural habitat, while providing a fulfilling burial rituals. Can these spaces serves as a transitional ecosystem which buffers site from development or urban areas?
METHODOLOGY y To understand the history and methods of burial system. y To study the social, cultural values associated with burial spaces. y Pros and cons existing system associated with the burial process. y To understand the role of burial spaces in urban fabric. y Problems associated with the burial spaces in urban areas. y To understand the management of such spaces to enhance the values in urban spces. y To understand the relation between the burial spaces and the ecosystem. y To understand the processes involved in the decomposition of bodies and ecology. y To develop the sustainable relationship between burial spaces and ecology. OBJECTIVES
y To understand the landscape management of burial sites from an ecological perspective y Importance of such spaces in the ecosystem. Alternative methods of burial process considering the cultural sentiments.
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