Balancing Globalization with Environmental Responsibility. The Challenges of Homogenization and Landscape Simplification

Abstract

The contemporary world is grappling with tensions between globalization and environmental responsibility, where economic and cultural unification often conflict with the preservation of local ecosystems and identities. Processes like “biotic homogenization” and the spread of universal design aesthetics contribute to landscape simplification, diminishing ecological resilience and cultural distinctiveness. Urban and peri-urban landscapes, particularly in industrialized countries, exemplify these challenges. This paper examines the role of landscape architects in addressing these tensions, drawing on an interview with David Hill, president of Hill Studio. Hill highlights strategies such as promoting diversity, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and engaging communities to preserve ecological and cultural uniqueness. By analyzing Hill’s insights alongside global trends, the paper reflects on how landscape architecture can navigate the pressures of globalization while safeguarding biodiversity and cultural identity.