andrew doyle. The Nature of Ian McHarg's Science

McHarg’s process of overlaying several layers of data, composite mapping, is largely his most significant contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture. While he did not invent this idea, it is what most people immediately associate him with, due to his command over the process. He felt by layering both cultural and ecological features upon on another, the procedure of making design decisions became quicker and clearer. This approach to designing was a new and highly scientific way of working. However, it seems that he was more concerned with results of the process than the process itself. In fact, once the power of computers was on the horizon Mcharg felt that the future held even more opportunity for composite mapping to aid the design process. McHarg’s ability to see beyond the resources available to him is to be both admired and learned from.