Jody Rosenblatt Naderi, RLA, MLA, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College of Architecture, Langford Hall, College Station, TX 77845, 979-458-0103, jrnaderi@tamu.edu

Abstract

Cities have become harsh places. Walking is often a form of relief selected for preventive, curative and spiritual health. What is the effect of the urban landscape on the healing intentions of people walking? The eruv, the labyrinth and the barefoot garden represent three types of walking landscapes designed for spiritual health purposes. Study of the form, development and use of these landscapes set in the vernacular landscape of the community, suggest that the urban landscape can integrate more places for walking for spiritual renewal. Protecting places of significant spiritual value as well as creating places for spiritual renewal contributes to overall community health. Examples of these landscapes are described and compared with beautiful drawings and images to illustrate how the need for spiritual renewal at the community level is being addressed and implemented by various religious and community organizations around the world. Results of intercept surveys of people walking for spiritual purposes is presented.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe how the public vernacular landscape acts as a place for spiritual renewal for communities building barefoot gardens, labyrinths and eruvs.
• Define seven types of sacred landscape forms that contribute to the spiritual health of a community
• Assess the urban landscape to locate existing and potential locations for healing gardens that support community sacred.
• Articulate the relationship between walking and the spiritual healing effects of the labyrinth, the eruv and the barefoot gardens.
• Evaluate physical constructs of walking environments that support preventive health care goals.

Keywords: Community Building, Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.