McHarg's ecological planning approach has been influential since the 20th century. Yet few empirical studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of his projects. Using the framework of landscape performance assessment, it demonstrates the long-term benefits of The Woodlands town development through quantitative and qualitative methods.

Bo Yang is an associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Arizona, USA.

Part 1 1. Overview of Landscape Performace Scholarship 2. Ian McHarg: A Pioneer in Performance Evaluation Part 2 3. Premier Research Programs 4. Social Benefits 5. Economic Benefits Part 3 6. The Woodlands: An Exemplary Case for Performance Assessment 7. Planning and Design Process 8. Resilience to Flood 9. Runoff Volume 10. Stormwater Quality 11. Urban Heat Island Part 4 12. An Evolving Ecological Plan 13. Modeling Development and Runoff Scenarios 14. Stormwater Performance 15. Safety Perception 16. Major Players and Barriers Part 5 17. McHarg's Ecological Wisdom 18. Urban Resilience and Contemporary Relevance