Mary E. Myers, Ph.D, RLA, ASLA
Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture
Acting Chair, Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture
President 2005-2006, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
Ph.D, Heriot Watt University/Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
MLA, Harvard University
BSLA, University of Wisconsin
AA, Finch College
Licensed Landscape Architect: NC, NY

Member: American Society of Landscape Architects - Campus Planning and Design Professional Interest Group, Council of Educators of Landscape Architecture, Council of Landscape Architects' Review Board, Environmental Design Research Association

Dr. Myers' area of expertise is in the design of public parks, parkways and greenways. She has developed lecture and studio courses on these topics, based on environmental, social, historical and aesthetic concerns of public landscape architecture. Her work and pedagogy explores these overlapping areas of interest from repair of compromised aquatic ecosystems, such as streams and rivers to road aesthetics. She has engaged in such projects professionally, and as student outreach projects and is particularly interested in the landscape architect's unique position and responsibility for sustainable design in the world.

Prior to joining the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture in 2003, Professor Myers was Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at North Carolina State University (1996-2003) and Coordinator of the Landscape Design Certificate Program at the New York Botanical Garden (1984-91 and 93-95). As director of the NYBG program she was responsible for liaison with the instructors, teaching and outreach. She developed symposia and workshop(s) for working professionals in the field of landscape architecture and landscape design. At NCSU, she developed lecture courses in ecologically based design; and on the history of American parks and parkways. She taught many interdisciplinary studios with departments of forestry, water quality, civil engineering, architecture, graphic design and industrial design. The studios typically took on public service projects, such as designing sites and orientation systems for the World Special Olympics; stream repair and public greenways; design of a storm water exhibition site in coastal NC and design for streets and pedestrian corridors.

Many of the service studios have resulted in built projects or awards. She won a national teaching award for her work on the Special Olympics Studio in 1999. Her studio related to the repair of Rocky Branch Creek helped to garner $5 million in funding for repairing the stream and developing an associated greenway. The project is currently under construction. Dr. Myers' studio related to street design formed a template for calming traffic in the NCSU area of Raleigh. For three years, she co-taught a funded campus design studio (with the department of architecture) which responded to growth issues of the NCSU campus.

Dr. Myers is currently involved in research related to road design. Although the USA has over four million miles of roads, scant attention has been paid to road aesthetics, nor is there a body of theoretical knowledge for designers to draw upon for analysis and inspiration. Dr. Myers has been studying the design background and public perception of what is acclaimed to be one of America's most beautiful roads, the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC and VA. The intention of the research is to contribute to the design theory of roads and to ultimately effect better, more comprehensive design of the nation's roadways.

Dr. Myers has been a practicing landscape architect for over two decades, developing master plans for state and community parks; designing gardens and estates in the USA and Central America; and designing unique projects, such as ecotourism resorts and woodland amphitheatres.

Articles:

Myers, M (2003) Bluegrass Harmony (overview of the Paris-Lexington, KY Parkway), Landscape Architecture Magazine, 93, 5, 82-91, 101-103

Myers, M (2002) One View from the Road Landscape Architecture Magazine, 92, 10, 80-89

Myers, M (2002) Variety and Interest: What makes the Blue Ridge Parkway beautiful? Landscape Architecture Magazine, 92, 3, 71-73, 93-95

Myers M (2001) Iron and Asphalt: the Evolution of the Spiral Curve in Railroads and Parkways Public Roads, 645, 2, 23-27

Myers, M (2000) Retrofitting Rocky Branch: Applying natural features in urban stream design Landscape Architecture Magazine,90, 3, 44-49 

Book Chapters:

Myers, M, (2001) Parkways in Encyclopedia of Gardens: History and Design Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Vol. 3, p.999-1001

Myers, M, (2001) Shugaku-in Imperial Villa in Encyclopedia of Gardens: History and Design.  Chicago:  Fitzroy Dearborn Vol.3, p.1223-1225

Myers, M, (1994) Garden Tours in Great American Learning Vacations, New York: Fodor's Publications Inc., Random House 

Conference Proceedings:

Myers, M, D'Amato, V and House, CH, (2002) Integrating Engineering, Ecology and Landscape Architecture for Wastewater System Design  NCAWWA/WEA

Myers, M (2002) Rocky Branch Creek: Developing a Studio Course for Sustainability International Think Tank on Education for Sustainability, Doncaster, UK

Myers, M (2001) Design of the Blue Ridge Parkway: Environmental Masterpiece or Standard Road? Architectural Research Centers Consortium