Review of the Types and Paradigms of Landscape Planning Theories

Landscape planning is an essential secondary discipline of landscape architecture. Its theories are yet to be developed into a system. According to the types of landscape planning theories, this paper summarizes the researches from two aspects: substantive theory and procedural theory. The substantive theoretical development includes three paradigms: “pattern-process-scale” paradigm, “pattern-process-service–sustainability” paradigm, and “pattern-process-design” paradigm. The procedural theoretical evolution includes the empirical paradigm, positivist paradigm, comprehensive paradigm, and experimental paradigm. Finally, the substantive theory and procedural theory tend to merge, and the essential attributes of landscape planning should be a practical activity that gives consideration to both application and knowledge seeking.