Landscapeeither

Landscapeeither is a design concept that combines landscape representation with elements of comparative decision design. It describes a method for presenting two or more alternative landscape configurations within a single geographic frame, allowing observers to compare ecological, social, and economic outcomes side by side. The term is a portmanteau of landscape and either, and it appears in discussions of speculative design, landscape architecture education, and interactive visualization.

Conceptually, landscapeeither provides a way to encode multiple futures or options within one visualization. Techniques commonly associated with it include layered or split-view maps, parametric modeling, and interactive interfaces that toggle between options or reveal parallel state diagrams. The approach emphasizes transparency about trade-offs and enables stakeholders to examine how different choices affect variables such as habitat connectivity, flood risk, human access, and maintenance costs.

Applications of landscapeeither range from urban parks and greenways to watershed restoration and climate adaptation planning. It is most often employed in educational settings, scenario planning exercises, and early-stage design workshops where quick comparison of alternatives supports collaborative decision making.

Advantages include enhanced clarity in trade-off analysis, improved stakeholder engagement, and the ability to explore multiple futures without committing to a single path. Limitations involve potential cognitive overload, the need for careful framing of what is being compared, and a reliance on compatible data and visualization tools.

See also: scenario planning, multi-criteria decision analysis, GIS, parametric design, design futures.