ABSTRACT
In landscape design, including urban design, planting plays a primary role in creating spaces. These spaces are often described in the language of buildings. The enclosing elements may be L-shaped or C-shaped and may define space half by delineation and half by implication. Semi-enclosed spaces are frequently encountered in the form of niches or enclaves in the edge between open space and solid mass. Openings that extend eye level in the enclosing planting will form windows that allow visual penetration of the space. Static spaces are, necessarily, more or less regular. Motive spaces can gain much of their dynamism and orientation from the tension set up by irregularities of shape. Height to width proportions are also important for green spaces enclosed by vegetation. The orientation of the ground plane is a dynamic element and needs to be considered along with the proportions and the shape of the space.
