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Two strategies can be used to measure compliance with landscape code requirements: a point system or ?EUR??,,????'??pure design.?EUR??,,????'?? A point system assigns a certain number of points per defined use unit. A defined number of units are needed for compliance with the code. These requirements are always called out in the code. The pure design strategy looks at the site as related use-units that require certain types and amounts of planting. These units can be called ?EUR??,,????'??design components?EUR??,,????'?? of the landscape code and certain planting requirements are stated. Performance standards or proscriptive standards (or both) can measure conformity to the code. These standards can be based upon specifications that can be given to measure the design quality of the plan. With the point system, the code determines design quality. Using a design strategy based upon site use and specifications allows the designer to determine design quality. That is the significant difference between the two. More communities across the country base compliance with landscape codes upon design, not points. This is particularly true in the South and Southeast. Fewer and fewer communities are using point systems these days. Landscape architects find point systems more difficult to work with in a design context. Point systems of measuring landscape code compliance is more common in Texas and Oklahoma. Landscape administrators find the point system an easy way to measure design quality. Designers see the point system as a quota system. So many points for a use area, so many points for parking, so many points for buffers! Emphasis gets placed on designing to achieve points rather than design results. The point system makes the code cumbersome. Designers prefer to design landscapes to achieve a certain effect, a personal visual quality standard or just based upon, site, use, program and budget.
Two strategies can be used to measure compliance with landscape code requirements: a point system or ?EUR??,,????'??pure design.?EUR??,,????'??
Performance standards or proscriptive standards (or both) can measure conformity to the code. These standards can be based upon specifications that can be given to measure the design quality of the plan. With the point system, the code determines design quality. Using a design strategy based upon site use and specifications allows the designer to determine design quality. That is the significant difference between the two.
More communities across the country base compliance with landscape codes upon design, not points. This is particularly true in the South and Southeast. Fewer and fewer communities are using point systems these days. Landscape architects find point systems more difficult to work with in a design context.
Point systems of measuring landscape code compliance is more common in Texas and Oklahoma.
Landscape administrators find the point system an easy way to measure design quality. Designers see the point system as a quota system. So many points for a use area, so many points for parking, so many points for buffers! Emphasis gets placed on designing to achieve points rather than design results. The point system makes the code cumbersome. Designers prefer to design landscapes to achieve a certain effect, a personal visual quality standard or just based upon, site, use, program and budget.
Points as a measure of design are assigned by the code, not the designer. Supporters say that issuing points rather than performance-based design standards allows more freedom and flexibility to the design. Designers disagree, saying the points lead a designer to a solution that meets the code rather than leading them to a quality design. In some communities this is called ?EUR??,,????'??codescape,?EUR??,,????'??? a general sameness of result indicating misdirected creativity. Designers are very leery of it.
For example, points do not reflect proper spacing, growth characteristics and combinations of texture, form, color and line often thought of as the true measure of design.
But in Oklahoma City a point system is used with good effect. Generally, the larger the site the more points needed, to meet compliance requirements.
Much of the text of this ordinance is devoted to explaining how to calculate points. Points are often awarded based upon a defined measuring system such as plant quantities and sizes. In addition, this code directs a proscribed number of points into certain use areas of the property based upon such factors as evergreen or deciduous character or type of ground cover.
The next time you work with a landscape code ask yourself. Am I designing to meet a certain number of points or am I designing use areas for certain affects within proscribed planting specifications. Both systems accomplish the same goal, they just do it in different way.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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