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SmallerMUNCIE, Ind.- John Motloch, landscape architecture professor, has been named the new director of the Ball State University Land Design Institute.
The institute, established in 2001 by the College of Architecture and Planning, has been charged with promoting ecologically and culturally responsible land design, both locally and globally, through education, research, outreach and service.
"Some of the greatest societal challenges and opportunities today concern land use planning decisions of our cities, towns, regions and their biomes," said Joseph Bilello, dean of the College of Architecture and Planning. "The Land Design Institute is strategically placed to make a significant contribution to that end."
Motloch served as the Department of Landscape Architecture chair from 1996 to 2001, and the institute opened during his tenure. He has lectured and taught in South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Greece and other countries.
He received his bachelor's of architecture degree from the University of Texas and his master's and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pretoria in South Africa, respectively.
Motloch has also worked on many sustainability and environmental research projects including site assessment research for the Superconducting Super Collider in Texas, he has also conducted river corridor and recreation studies, and research on energy- and water-efficient planning, and community development.
The Land Design Institute has already had an impact on both local and international environmental issue and education, Motloch said. Motloch has worked with the institute to help educate children about sustainability by directing the design of the "Second Chance Game." The game allows players to connect with the environment and to manage land as a resource.
Motloch recently taught a group of middle schoolers how to play "Second Chance" at the Minnetrista Cultural Center. Another area project the institute initiated was a master plan for Ball Memorial Hospital grounds that led to the creation of a therapeutic garden in the hospital's new oncology center.
Internationally, members of the Land Design Institute have traveled to Shanghai to help address the issues of one of the world's fastest-growing cities. They have also visited Brazil to participate in a consortium concerned with developing courses on sustainability.
The institute will continue to affect both local and international sustainability and environmental issues, said Motloch, from projects that range from Landlab, a field station that demonstrates environmentally friendly technology and studies land transformation from rural to suburban, to nurturing long-term relationships with international sustainability organizations such as England's Earth Centre.
"Many times, decisions on land use are made based on short-term fixes rather than long-term goals," Motloch said. "The Land Design Institute will continue to address development's broad impact to help avoid creating larger problems for tomorrow."
Motloch replaces David Ferguson, who left to direct Ball State's iCommunication initiative, and officially begins his duties Jan. 1.
(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Motloch at (765) 285-1971 or jmotloch@bsu.edu.)
By Layne Cameron, Media Relations ManagerThe institute, established in 2001 by the College of Architecture and Planning, has been charged with promoting ecologically and culturally responsible land design, both locally and globally, through education, research, outreach and service.
"Some of the greatest societal challenges and opportunities today concern land use planning decisions of our cities, towns, regions and their biomes," said Joseph Bilello, dean of the College of Architecture and Planning. "The Land Design Institute is strategically placed to make a significant contribution to that end."
Motloch served as the Department of Landscape Architecture chair from 1996 to 2001, and the institute opened during his tenure. He has lectured and taught in South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Greece and other countries.
He received his bachelor's of architecture degree from the University of Texas and his master's and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pretoria in South Africa, respectively.
Motloch has also worked on many sustainability and environmental research projects including site assessment research for the Superconducting Super Collider in Texas, he has also conducted river corridor and recreation studies, and research on energy- and water-efficient planning, and community development.
The Land Design Institute has already had an impact on both local and international environmental issue and education, Motloch said. Motloch has worked with the institute to help educate children about sustainability by directing the design of the "Second Chance Game." The game allows players to connect with the environment and to manage land as a resource.
Motloch recently taught a group of middle schoolers how to play "Second Chance" at the Minnetrista Cultural Center. Another area project the institute initiated was a master plan for Ball Memorial Hospital grounds that led to the creation of a therapeutic garden in the hospital's new oncology center.
Internationally, members of the Land Design Institute have traveled to Shanghai to help address the issues of one of the world's fastest-growing cities. They have also visited Brazil to participate in a consortium concerned with developing courses on sustainability.
The institute will continue to affect both local and international sustainability and environmental issues, said Motloch, from projects that range from Landlab, a field station that demonstrates environmentally friendly technology and studies land transformation from rural to suburban, to nurturing long-term relationships with international sustainability organizations such as England's Earth Centre.
"Many times, decisions on land use are made based on short-term fixes rather than long-term goals," Motloch said. "The Land Design Institute will continue to address development's broad impact to help avoid creating larger problems for tomorrow."
Motloch replaces David Ferguson, who left to direct Ball State's iCommunication initiative, and officially begins his duties Jan. 1.
(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Motloch at (765) 285-1971 or jmotloch@bsu.edu.)
