Vol. 22 No. 2 (2024): On diversity and differences
Complessità. Riconoscere e favorire le diversità / Complexity. Acknowledging and promoting the diversity

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

Irene Curulli
Virginia Tech, School of Design - LA Program, VA, USA

Published 2025-07-02

Keywords

  • Landscape simplification,
  • Cultural identity,
  • Environmental responsibility,
  • Globalization

How to Cite

Curulli, I. (2025). Balancing Globalization with Environmental Responsibility. The Challenges of Homogenization and Landscape Simplification. Ri-Vista. Research for Landscape Architecture, 22(2), 96–109. https://doi.org/10.36253/rv-16402

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 de-sign 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 safe-guarding biodiversity and cultural identity.