Raffi at 14:57, 9 April 2007

2007-04-09T14:57:49Z

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[[Image:Centralpark.png|300px|right|thumb|[[Central Park]], like all parks, is an example of landscape architecture.]]
'''Landscape architecture''' is the [[art]], [[planning]], [[design]], [[management]], [[historic preservation|preservation]] and [[land rehabilitation|rehabilitation]] of the land and the design of human-made constructs. The scope of the profession includes architectural design, [[site planning]], [[housing estate]] development, [[natural environment|environmental]] restoration, town or [[urban planning]], [[urban design]], [[park]]s and recreation planning, [[regional planning]], and [[historic preservation]]. A practitioner in the field of landscape architecture is called a '''[[landscape architect]]'''.

== Duties ==
Landscape architecture is a multi-disciplinary field, including within its fold geography, mathematics, science, engineering, art, horticulture, technology, social sciences, politics, history, philosophy. The activities of a landscape architect can range from the creation of public parks and parkways to site planning for corporate office buildings, from the design of residential estates to the design of civil infrastructure and the management of large wilderness areas or reclamation of degraded landscapes such as mines or landfills. Landscape architects work on all types of structures and external space - large or small, urban or rural, and with "hard"/"soft" materials, hydrology and ecological issues.

Ian McHarg is considered a strong influence in the modern Landscape Architecture profession, with regards to his book "Design with Nature". He developed a system of analyzing the layers of a site in order to compile a complete understanding of the space. McHarg would give every aspect of the site a layer, such as the history, hydrology, topography, vegetation, etc. This layering aspect eventually led to the development of modern GIS analysis of earth's surface, which is a tool now used by Landscape Architects as well as Geographers, Forestry and Natural Resources professionals, etc.

Landscape architects work on:

* The form, scale and siting of new developments
* Civil design and public [[infrastructure]]
* Site design for schools, universities, hospitals and hotels
* Public parks, [[greenway]]s, [[golf|golf courses]], [[theme park]]s and sports facilities
* Housing areas, industrial parks and commercial developments
* [[Highway]]s, transportation structures, [[bridge]]s, and corridors
* [[Urban design]], town and city squares, and pedestrian schemes
* Large or small [[urban renewal|urban regeneration]] schemes
* Forest, tourist or historic landscapes, and [[historic garden]] appraisal and conservation studies
* [[reservoir (water)|Reservoirs]], [[dam]]s, [[power station]]s, extractive industry applications or major industrial projects
* [[Environmental assessment]] and [[landscape assessment]], planning advice and land management proposals.
* Coastal and offshore developments

The most valuable contribution is often made at the earliest stage of a project in generating ideas and bringing flair and creativity to the use of space. The landscape architect can contribute to the overall concept and prepare an initial master plan, from which detailed designs can subsequently be prepared. He or she can also let and supervise contracts for construction work, prepare design impact assessments, conduct environmental assessments or audits and act as an expert witness at enquiries on land use. He or she can also support or prepare applications for capital or revenue funding grants.

For the period before 1800 (see section on History, below) the history of landscape architecture is largely that of master planning. The first person to write of "making" a landscape was [[Joseph Addison]] in [[1712]]. The term "landscape gardener" was invented by [[William Shenstone]] in [[1754]] but the first professional designer to use this term was [[Humphry Repton]] in [[1794]]. The term "landscape architecture" was invented by [[Gilbert Laing Meason]] in [[1828]] and was first used as a professiona
l title by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]] in [[1863]]. [[Lancelot Brown]], who remains one of the best known "landscape gardeners" actually called himself a "place maker". During the nineteenth century the term "landscape gardener" became applied to people who build (and sometimes design) landscapes and the term "landscape architect" became reserved for people who design (and sometimes build) landscapes. This use of "landscape architect" became established after the [[American Society of Landscape Architects]] was founded in [[1899]] and the [[International Federation of Landscape Architects]] (IFLA) in [[1948]].

== Specializations ==

''Landscape designers'' and ''Landscape technicans or engineers'' are employed with landscape construction and service companies. Landscape designers, like [[garden designer]]s, design all types of planting and green spaces. Many [[landscape engineering|landscape engineers]] work in public offices in central and local government while others work for landscape architecture firms.

''Landscape managers'' use their knowledge of plants and the natural environment to advise on the long-term care and development of the landscape.
[[Landscape manager]]s work in [[horticulture]], estate management, [[forestry]], nature [[conservation ethic|conservation]] and [[agriculture]].

''Landscape scientists'' have specialist skills such as [[soil science]], [[hydrology]], [[geomorphology]] or [[botany]] that they relate to the practical problems of landscape work. Their projects can range from site surveys to the ecological assessment of broad areas for planning or management purposes. They may also report on the impact of development or the importance of particular [[species]] in a given area.

''Landscape planners'' are concerned with [[landscape planning]] for the location, scenic, ecological and recreational aspects of urban, rural and coastal land use.
Their work is embodied in written statements of policy and strategy, and their remit includes masterplanning for new developments, landscape evaluations and assessments, and preparing countryside management or policy plans.
Some may also apply an additional specialism such as landscape archaeology or law to the process of landscape planning.

''Garden designers'' are concerned with the design of new private gardens and also with [[historic garden conservation]]

== History ==
[[Image:Park Muzakowski6.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Muskauer Park]] on the German-Polish border is inscribed on the [[World Heritage List]] on the basis of its importance for "the development of landscape architecture as a discipline".]]
{{main|History of landscape architecture}}

The history of landscape architecture is related to the [[history of gardening]] but is not coextensive. Both arts are concerned with the composition of planting, landform, water, paving and other structures but:
* garden design is essentially concerned with enclosed private space ([[park]]s, [[garden]]s etc)
* landscape design is concerned with the design of enclosed space, as well as unenclosed space which is open to the public ([[town square]]s, [[country park]]s, [[park system]]s, [[greenway]]s etc).

The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] undertook landscape architecture on an extensive scale, and [[Vitruvius]] wrote on many topics (eg the layout of towns) which still concern landscape architects. As with the other arts, it was not until the [[Renaissance]] that garden design was revived, with outstanding examples including the pleasure grounds at the [[Villa d'Este]], [[Tivoli, Italy|Tivoli]]. The renaissance garden developed through the 16th and 17th centuries, reaching an ultimate grandeur in the work of [[André le Nôtre]] at [[Vaux-le-Vicomte]] and [[Versailles]].

In the 18th century, England became the focus of a new style of landscape design. Figures such as [[William Kent]], [[Humphry Repton]], and most famously [[Lancelot 'Capability' Brown]] remodelled the great estate parks of the English gentry to resemble a neat and tidy version of nature. Many of these parks remain today. The term 'landscape arch
itecture' was first used by the Scotsman Gilbert Laing Meason in the title of his book on ''The Landscape Architecture of the Great Painters of Italy'' (London, 1828). It was about the type of architecture found in landscape paintings. The term "landscape architecture" was then taken up by JC Loudon and AJ Downing.

Through the 19th century, urban planning became more important, and it was the combination of modern planning with the tradition of landscape gardening that gave Landscape Architecture its unique focus. In the second half of the century, [[Frederick Law Olmsted]] completed a series of parks which continue to have a huge influence on the practices of Landscape Architecture today. Among these were [[Central Park]] in [[New York]], [[Prospect Park (Brooklyn)|Prospect Park]] in [[Brooklyn]], and [[Boston]]'s so called [[Emerald Necklace]] park system.

Landscape architecture continues to develop as a design discipline, and has responded to many of the movements of design and architecture through the 20th century. Today, a healthy level of innovation continues to provide challenging design solutions for streetscapes, parks and gardens. The work of [[Martha Schwartz]] in the US, and in Europe designs such as the [[Schouwburgplein]] in [[Rotterdam]] are just two examples.

==Profession==
In many countries, a professional [[institute]], comprised of members of the professional community, exists in order to protect the standing of the profession and promote its interests, and sometimes also regulate the practice of landscape architecture. The standard and strength of legal regulations governing landscape architecture practice varies from nation to nation, with some requiring licensure in order to practice; and some having little or no regulation.
===United States===
In the United States, Landscape Architecture is regulated by individual state governments, with only 2 requiring no regulation at all (Colorado and Vermont). For a landscape architect, obtaining licensure or membership of a professional institute requires advanced education and/or continuing training and work experience. Full membership or licensure often depends on the outcome of [[examination]]s in professional practice matters, and/or an interview with senior members of the profession. In the U.S. licensing is overseen both at the state level, and nationally by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registation Boards (CLARB). Landscape architecture has been identified as an above average growth profession by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and was listed in US News and World Report's list of Best Jobs to Have in 2006. Landscape architects are considered professionals on par with doctors and lawyers because they are often required to obtain specialized education and professional licensure.
===Canada===
In Canada, Landscape architecture is regulated by provincial or territorial components. These components are then governed by a national organization, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects / L'Association des architectes paysagistes du Canada. Membership in the CSLA/AAPC is obtained through joining one of the provincial or territorial components.

==See also==
*[[Architecture]]
*[[Boston Architectural College]]
*[[Energy-efficient landscaping|Energy-efficient landscape design]]
*[[Green roof]]
*[[Hard landscape materials]]
*[[History of landscape architecture]]
*[[Landscape engineering]]
*[[Landscape products]]
*[[Landscape detailing]]
*[[Landscape planning]]
*[[List of landscape architects]]
*[[Livable Landscape]]s
*[[Planting design]]
*[[Principles of Intelligent Urbanism]]
*[[List of schools of landscape architecture]]
*[[Soft landscape materials]]
*[[Sustainable landscape architecture]]

==External links==
*[http://www.landscapeonline.com Landscape Architect & Specifier News (LASN)]
*[http://www.laprofession.org/ Landscape Architecture Foundation] (USA)
*[http://www.tclf.org The Cultural Landscape Foundation]

===International organizations===
*[http://www.iflaonline.org/ IFLA] [[International Federation of Landscape Architects]]
*[http:
//www.thecela.org/ CELA] Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
*[http://www.efla.org EFLA] European Federation of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.e-lan.org/ ELAN] European Landscape Architecture Network
*[http://www.elasa.org/ ELASA] European Landscape Architecture Students Association
*[http://www.eclas.org/ ECLAS] European Conference of Landscape Architecture Schools
*[http://www.idad.org/ IDAD] Institute of Destination Architects and Designers

===Professional bodies===

====Americas====
*[http://www.centroaapaisajistas.org.ar/ CAAP] Argentine Centre for Landscape Architects
*[http://www.abap.org.br/ ABAP] Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://csla.ca CSLA] Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
*[http://barrioperu.terra.com.pe/paiperu/ APAP] Peruvian Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.asla.org ASLA] American Society of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.clarb.org CLARB] Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards (US/Canada)

====Europe====
*[http://www.oegla.at/ ÖGLA] Österreichische Gesellschaft für Landschafts-Architekten (Austria)
*[http://www.bvtl-abajp.org/ BVTL-ABAJP] Belgian Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.m-ark.fi/ MARK] Finnish Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.f-f-p.org/ FFP] Fédération Française du Paysage (France)
*[http://www.bdla.de/ BDLA] Bund Deutscher Landschafts-Architekten (Germany)
*[http://www.fila.is FILA] Association of Icelandic Landscape Architects
*[http://www.irishlandscapeinstitute.com/index.shtml ILI ] The Irish Landscape Institute
*[http://www.aiapp.net/ AIAPP] Associazione Italiana di Architettura del Paesaggio (Italy)
*[http://www.nvtl.nl/index.html NVTL] Netherlands Association for Landscape Architecture
*[http://www.landskapsarkitektur.no NLA] Norske Landskapsarkitekters forening (Norway)
*[http://www.apap.pt/ APAP] Portuguese Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.upa.org.yu/ ALA] Association of Landscape Architects, Serbia and Montenegro
*[http://www.bsla.ch/output.php BSLA] Bund Schweizer Landschafts-Architekten (Switzerland)
*[http://www.landscapeinstitute.org.uk LI] [[Landscape Institute]] the UK Chartered Institute for Landscape Architects
*[http://www.peyzajmimoda.org.tr PMO] [[Peyzaj Mimarları Odası]] Turkish Chamber of Landscape Architects

====Asia Pacific====
*[http://aila.org.au/ AILA] [[Australian Institute of Landscape Architects]]
*[http://www.isala.org.il/ ISALA] Israeli Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.indianlandscape.net/ ISOLA] Indian Society of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.kila.or.kr/ KILA] Korea Institute of Landscape Architecture
*[http://www.nzila.co.nz/ NZILA] New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.sila.org.sg/ SILA] Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.talalandscape.org/home.php TALA] Thai Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.pala.org.ph/ PALA] Philippine Association of Landscape Architects
*[http://www.hkila.com/ HKILA] Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects

====Africa====
*[http://www.ilasa.co.za/ ILASA] Institute of Landscape Architects in South Africa
*[http://www.aakweb.com/ AAK] Architectural Association of Kenya

[[Category:Landscape]]
[[Category:Landscape architecture]]

Landscape architecture - Revision history

Raffi at 14:57, 9 April 2007