Highlights from REDLab at the 2023 CELA Conference: Awards, Panels, and Presentations
At the 2023 Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, researchers and educators gathered to share new research insights. The REDLab was well represented, where members received a CELA Student Research Award, moderated a panel on virtual reality in landscape architecture, and presented in three separate paper presentations.
CELA Student Research Award Ruiqi Yang, a doctoral student from REDLab, earned the prestigious CELA Student Research Award for her project, Why Do We Love the High Line Park? A Lesson from Big Data. Yang's study analyzed over 34,000 online reviews to uncover what makes New York City's High Line Park so beloved. Her findings provide key insights for future greenway projects by highlighting the park's unique visual experiences, cultural significance, and exceptional services.
Panel on Virtual Reality in Education A panel featuring Dr. Jessica Fernandez, Dr. Benjamin George, Prof. Peter Summerlin, Dr. Pai Liu, and REDLab researcher Morgane Coleman explored the growing role of virtual reality (VR) in landscape architecture education. Drawing from their extensive experience, the panelists discussed how VR is being integrated into curricula, the challenges faced, and the opportunities it presents. They also offered practical advice for educators looking to implement VR in their programs, with a focus on both pedagogical and practical applications.
Social Media and Landscape Preferences REDLab doctoral student Ruiqi Yang presented on how social media data can reveal landscape preferences in urban settings. Using geotagged photos from Flickr, she and her team analyzed the spatial-temporal distribution of users in Atlanta, Georgia, uncovering popular areas like Centennial Olympic Park and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. This study offers a fresh approach to urban planning by tying social media insights to landscape design.
Olfactory Stimuli in Virtual Reality REDLab master’s student Morgane Coleman presented research on the relationship between smell and mood within a VR campus environment. Using a floral scent, she conducted a study to assess how olfactory stimuli affect mood and site perception. Her findings underscore the potential of integrating sensory experiences into virtual environments to enhance well-being, particularly in educational settings.
The 2023 CELA Conference brought together some great ideas and practical insights in landscape architecture. From innovative research to new tech in education, the event offered useful takeaways for everyone in the field.
