Feature image for Going The Extra Mile

Going The Extra Mile

Post-occupancy evaluations reveal how completed parks perform over time and help designers and maintenance teams improve future projects.

5 min read

Photo Credit: Paul Turang

Landscape architects bring value to the built environment in multiple ways. Streetscapes, public parks, and gardens, if designed in a meaningful way, can have lasting impacts on the cities they serve. Firms that design public parks properly can revitalize communities, bringing health and wellness to areas that may be park-deficient.

However, what happens after the park’s completion, when the design team hands off the project? How do you work with the park maintenance team to ensure the project exceeds the design intent and performs optimally over time? Most projects lack any post-construction or post-occupancy evaluation (POE). POE is a process of assessing design by studying built projects in a methodical and precise manner after their opening.

Below are two examples of civic parks designed by AHBE that have had a profound effect on the environment and the urban fabric of Los Angeles.