This article will focus on an analytical framework as a research tool in design disciplines. Key problem for an analytical framework in landscape architecture is how to deal with the dynamics of landscape form, design and use in the design process.

We start with a short overview will be given of analytical frameworks. In the second part some generic principles of analytical frameworks will be applied in three case studies of 19th century public parks. The third part will focus on how results of such an analysis can be used for the future and how results of peopleenvironment studies can be part of that.

One of the conclusions is, that people-environment studies can play a role before, during and after the design process. In most cases results of people-environment studies cannot be applied directly but rather as part of an iterative process of research and design.