Abstract
This autobiographical reflection traces my work in land suitability analysis and plan-making. The suitability practice has resulted in two rating systems: the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Land Evaluation and Site Assessment System and Green Business Certification Inc.’s SITES Rating System. Plans have been made for US counties, cities, and towns; Italian provinces; regions and watersheds; and university campuses. My practice is grounded in human ecology. I have attempted to address the issues people face with an especial focus on environmental quality and social equity. Examples of work from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas in the United States as well as Italy and Mexico are noted. I explore how reflection, often with collaborators and students, has informed my practice and how it can help advance the fields of planning and landscape architecture.
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Source Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (2012)
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Funding for the color illustrations in the print version of this article was provided by the Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania.
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Frederick Steiner conceived and wrote this article.
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Frederick Steiner is an advisory board member of Socio-Ecological Practice Research. He was not involved in the peer-review or handling of the manuscript, and has no other competing interests to disclose.
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Steiner, F.R. Reflective socio-ecological practice. Socio Ecol Pract Res 4, 417–429 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-022-00130-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-022-00130-w