The Glacier at Svalbard, Norway. Photo by Kathleen John-Alder, associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture.
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has given their 2017 Professional Award of Excellence in Research to a multi-national team of researchers, including team leaders Kathleen John-Alder, associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture, and Janike Kampevold Larsen from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design and Tromsø Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies.
In Longerbyen during the field study. Left to right Ellen O. White, graduate student research assistant, and associate research professor Kathleen John-Alder, both from the Department of Landscape Architecture.
Their research project, “Fluid Territory: A Journey into Svalbard, Norway,” explores and documents this far northern area in order to transform our thinking about the Arctic and thus plan for its future and determine its fate.
John-Alder and Larsen were co-teachers of a research studio based on Svalbard—an archipelago of islands located in the Arctic Sea halfway between Norway and the North Pole—during the summer of 2015. They devised a work plan for the project and directed a team of student researchers who explored the cultural and natural history of this landscape using methodologies from past studies, and award-winning work on critical mapping that John-Alder has been involved in for several years.
The methods included–among others—multi-scalar mapping techniques, topographic study, immersive site visits, photographic documentation, surveys, and archival research. The findings were documented as a series of critical maps, each of which focuses upon different topics and questions. Each mapping study can be read independently as a singular narrative, or they can be grouped into a multi-faceted collage that presents a more detailed story of time, climate, geology, change, natural history, adventure, resource exploitation and politics.
Captivating the 2017 Awards Jury for its “elegant narrative” and “compelling presentation,“ one juror remarked “(It is) an exquisite marriage of art, science, and education.”
The complete list of the multi-national team is located below. To read more about the research study and explore the intricate maps go to the American Society of Landscape Architects website.
PROJECT CREDITS
Team Leaders and Principal Investigators
Kathleen John-Alder, ASLA, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey;
Janike Kampevold Larsen, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, and Tromsø Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
Associated Investigators the Future North Project
Peter Hemmersam, Oslo School of Architecture and Design;
Andrew Morrison, Oslo School of Architecture and Design
Project Managers
Mats Kemppe, Tromsø Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies;
Eimear Tynan, Tromsø Academy of Landscape and Territorial
Photography Credit
Norwegian Polar Institute
Janike Kampevold Larson
Kathleen John-Alder Eimear Tynan
Ricardo Pravettoni
Rassmuss Weitze
Herta Lampert Tromsø Museum
Additional Project Credits
Affiliated Research Institutions and Co-Principal Investigators
Oslo School of Architecture and Design and Troms Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies:
Janike Kampevold Larson, Andrew Morrison, Peter Hemmersam, Lisbet Harboe, Eimear Tynan, Mats Kemppe
Cartography Consultant
Ricardo Pravettoni
Research Associates
Ellen Oettinger, Associate ASLA, Rutgers University
Brona Keenan, Troms Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
Hans Eriksson, Troms Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
Rassmuss Weitze, Troms Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
Jérome Codère, Troms Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
Audrey Touchette, Troms Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
Matthew Poot, Tromsø Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
Charlie Laverty, Tromsø Academy of Landscape and Territorial Studies
