Understanding site history is critical in landscape architecture because it informs the design process and helps to preserve the site's cultural and environmental legacy. Knowledge of a site's history can provide valuable clues about the location's past land use, geologic processes, and human activity. This information can guide the design process by revealing the existing ecological relationships, beauty, and cultural identity that need to be retained. For instance, the site analysis may reveal historical contexts that serve as starting points for the design of a site's planting scheme, the organization of open spaces or the creation of pedestrian walkways. Knowing the site's history can also help landscape architects to address issues of environmental sustainability such as soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat fragmentation. Thus, landscape architects must be familiar with the cultural, environmental, and physical aspects of the site while developing plans for any given land use. Deploying a well-balanced approach to the design entails acknowledging past issues while working to mitigate the impacts of present and future use.
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