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Creating Community Gardens & Urban Farming to feed cities

Many countries in the world are feeling the effects of increasing inflation, whether due to increases in fuel, the war in Ukraine reducing cereal crops or fertiliser costs increasing due to sanctions on Russia (the largest exporter of fertiliser [1]) along with the increased threat of climate change. In many nations, people are facing critical food insecurity and a need to create a food-resilient future.

Over the past few decades, globalisation has occurred in various industries, including agriculture, with countries exporting and importing food from other countries. However, COVID and increasing inflation has highlighted food supply as an issue for many of the world’s population in developed and developing nations that are facing higher costs and food insecurity. Therefore it is clear that cities and countries need to utilise their land for greater sustainable food production at all scales, from large-scale farming down to the small corner lot.

Community gardens are an excellent way for residents to grow food for families and communities. Although sometimes derided by some residents as unkempt and unruly, this is a minor issue when finding solutions for food security within cities.

Urban agriculture (farming) is another method for cities and countries to increase local food production and reduce emissions from transport. Many structures (factories, warehouses, carparks) and rooftops are underutilised that could be converted into urban agriculture systems. Vertical soilless urban farming can reduce water usage, fertilisers, and provide crops all year round in most climates.

Read the full article by Damian Holmes at World Landscape Architecture

[1] Colussi, J., G. Schnitkey and C. Zulauf. “War in Ukraine and its Effect on Fertilizer Exports to Brazil and the U.S.” farmdoc daily (12):34, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 17, 2022.

Attracting people to become Landscape Architects

There is increasing demand for landscape architects as more clients (private & public) engage landscape architects to undertake masterplans, infill development, upgrade city centres, infrastructure, climate change adaptation and many other projects. At the same time, many leave the industry as they reach retirement age or seek to change careers. Therefore, the profession needs to look to attract more people to the profession.

Early education
Landscape architects need to attract people to the profession at an early age. This requires landscape architects, associations and universities to attend schools and career days to provide lectures and information about the profession and its wide variety of streams and specialisations.

There is increasing demand for landscape architects as more clients (private & public) engage landscape architects to undertake masterplans, infill development, upgrade city centres, infrastructure, climate change adaptation and many other projects. At the same time, many leave the industry as they
reach retirement age or seek to change careers. Therefore, the profession needs to look to attract more people to the profession.

Template for queries 

Many design firms and landscape architects receive queries about how to become a landscape architect?or what is landscape architecture? and having a standard short email or attachment (from your local institute or association) ready to respond with takes out a lot of the time and work in responding to queries but also provides a quick response that maintains the person’s interest.

Alternative Pathways

Many landscape architects have reached the profession through alternate pathways either at university or whilst working with landscape architects as clients or allied professionals. Engineers, Architects, Ecologists, Graphic Designers and many other professions are drawn to landscape architecture as they see that our profession can influence communities and the environment through each one of our projects.

Read the full article at World Landscape Architecture

The need to combat ‘international design’ landscapes and embrace the local context

Over the past two decades, landscape architecture has grown in importance and stature across the world. More and more landscape architects are taking on projects in their local area and abroad. However, over the same period, we have seen an increase in the design of spaces that are standard style, with many designs imitating or drawing upon ideas that are not suited to the site or place.

This trend may reflect globalisation, a greater connected internet world or simply the proliferation of ideas through Pinterest and Instagram across the world. It may also be that clients and designers often being attracted to the bright new shiny trend. However, trends have existed from the dawn of the profession, from plant collections to arboretums to follies to conservatoriums to city gateways to reusing railway viaducts (in no particular order). These are not the disturbing trends; what troubles me is that there seems to become a palette of programs, functions, materials, water features, public art, lighting and super graphics that are applied as a toolkit on any site across the world without reference or understanding of the site context and culture. I (and others) often refer to this trend or typology as the international design style.

In recent times (before COVID), I had travelled to projects in China, the USA and Australia, where upon entering the space and then closing my eyes, clearing my mind of the urban context and then opening them, I would be hard-pressed to determine the location (city or suburb) I was standing. This is a disturbing trend that is driven by many factors.

Some may say that homogenous landscape design only occurs in residential and commercial landscapes due to the influence of short-term trends and global development companies creating projects across various geographic regions and their need to create international brands and experiences. This may be true, however, we are seeing this aesthetic (palette) extend beyond commercial landscapes into the public spaces due to designers and clients drawing inspiration from the same design palette.

The international design style palette often includes clean lines and surfaces, three shades of grey, terraced landscapes,  water play features, clipped evergreen shrubs, perennial meadows (not local species), supergraphics, and mural art. Sometimes these are placed all together or two elements to create the design. Over time, each new design is a pastiche (imitation) of the previous version.

There is a need to combat this trend and embrace site context, including the local environment, culture, topography, issues, materials and ideas. The “international design style” needs to be put to the side, and we as designers need to use our design skills and abilities to draw inspiration from the site context. The local landscape and people can provide learnings about the site and its context that you can not ascertain during a single site visit. The people of the area have years of experience and knowledge. Local knowledge is not limited to the people connected to the site (or attend consultation), but also those in local institutions, organisations and governments.

We now have the ability through the internet to draw upon the vast amounts of contextual information complemented with the insider knowledge of the local people. However, this should be used as a starting point and there is no excuse for not seeking out information and drawing upon local knowledge through consultation.

Some may say that this assertion limits the ability of designers to create inspiring designs or that the local ideas, materials or plant palettes are too limited and don’t suit the client’s needs. The challenge is to use what is available to create locally inspired design and question your design narrative and intent. Is an international artist (or commercial catalogue art) needed to provide the public art or wall mural? Are there local plants that could be used to create a similar aesthetic to a meadow of imported perennials? Can we change the design typology or styles across the site based on environmental conditions? This challenge also extends into the technical aspects of the project. Do we need imported soil? Can we use local stone? What is the microclimate? What local and indigenous plants are commercially available, or can they be contract grown?

Taking up this challenge and asking questions about every design decision creates a better-resolved design and inspires locals to have pride in their local environment. We often hear clients, government officials, and others justify their design decisions by successful precedents (from other cities) or new shiny ideas in the current world. We as designers can flip homogenous design on its head and state that local innovation and ideas are just as valid as international ideas and using local ideas and talent can create a more successful project as it will be accepted, owned and used by local people and visitors.

It will take education and many conversations to make this happen; Site considered (contextual) design is not the easy way and will require more involvement, thought and time than merely putting together a Pinterest or Miro board. However, drawing upon local context to inspire and create the design (project) narrative is key to gaining the confidence of decision-makers to make the change.

Originally published on WLA (World Landscape Architecture)

Image Credit: Different shades of grey, Flickr User Dr. Matthias Ripp

Landscape Architect to Director – what is the career progression of a landscape architect?

Landscape Architects, when working in private and public organisations, often have various job titles however, in many countries, the same titles (levels) are used to differentiate between the various levels of skills and expertise of a landscape architect. These job titles can differ from firm to firm, this following guide gives an outline of the job titles and the experience and skills of each level; however, it is best when discussing a role (job title) with an organisation to request a position description including the required education, skills, and tasks.

Landscape Designer

A landscape designer is usually someone who designs landscape projects and has not registered or completed a landscape architecture degree. Some firms use this title for those who have just joined the firm and have a landscape architecture degree but haven’t registered yet. You will report to a landscape architect or other manager.

Landscape Engineer

A landscape engineer is often highly skilled in land forming, grading, and water courses, including construction techniques. Usually, a person takes the role of a civil engineer on landscape projects. This title is often used in the Middle East, Asia and other parts of the world, where there are different regulations on who can design and certify grading.

Graduate Landscape Architect/Landscape Architect Assistant

As the title states, it is someone who has recently graduated with a landscape architecture degree and does not have registration. This job often varies between organisations however, in general, you will be undertaking production work (drafting, models, rendering, materials) on projects through various stages of the project. Often the first one to two years is spent in this role learning about design, materials, and construction techniques. You may report to a senior landscape architect or other managers.

Landscape Architect

A landscape architect may be registered (depending on the country) and work on various projects, and A landscape architect may be registered (depending on the country), work on various projects, and assist with the design development throughout the project. You may design some part or all of a project, manage the client, and attend construction sites, but that will depend on the size of the firm and the development paths within the organisation. This person often has between one to four years of experience. You may report to someone more senior or another manager.

Senior Landscape Architect

A senior landscape architect has over five years of experience and can design, document, and undertake construction site inspections. You often manage small to medium projects, including clients and allied professionals (sub-consultants) such as Engineers, Architects, Lighting Designers, Irrigation Designers, Ecologists, Horticulturalists, etc.). During this stage of your career, you may also start to specialise in one typology (parks, play, residential) or phase of a project. You may report to someone more senior or another manager.

Associate

An Associate has over eight years of experience who is managing a team and several clients and their projects. A highly skilled designer or someone with vast construction knowledge who works with clients and allied professionals to realise the objectives of the project. Associate Landscape Architects will often manage a team that requires good project and people management skills.

Senior Associate Landscape Architect (Associate Director)

Often with over ten years of experience and managing a team or teams in designing projects and managing clients. You will start to work with many clients, and you may be writing proposals, winning work and overseeing projects.

Principal/Director

Either someone who has started their own firm or has worked developed their career to become a Director (either in the title or legal company part owner). This person can be managing the whole company or one team or one division depending on the company’s size or type(landscape architecture vs multi-discipline). Othen Principal/Directors are managing the whole company requires a high-level of involvement in winning work, negotiating contracts, managing people (employees, clients, consultants, etc) and relationships. They may spend time designing and working on projects, but many in this position spend the majority of their time managing the company.

Differences

These titles and years and expected skills and responsibilities could vary from company to company and are more reflective of private design firms than public or non-profit organisations. To reiterate, the above is only a guide, and you should discuss the job titles with your professional landscape organisation who can assist you with information or a mentor to discuss further. You can also learn about the various positions by reading job advertisements and LinkedIn profiles.

Career progression

Not all people become Associates or Principals; many remain in the same position for their whole career; this can be due to personal preference, company structure, or skills. Some people can manage projects and clients, and people; not everyone is meant to be a manager you may realise they are happy with one title or a specialist in one area or discipline. There is no one set path for a landscape architect. Many people set out to be an Associate or a Director but find different opportunities along the way. No career path is straight, and your career should be guided by your interests, personal progression, learning, challenges and ambition.

The article was written by Damian Holmes – Founder & Editor of World Landscape Architecture. A registered landscape architect who has worked at various firms in Australia, China and Canada.

Should cities retreat due to climate change?

Over the past few months, the world has endured floods, heatwaves, droughts, fires and many events due to climate change’s impacts. Some commentators state that these events have been part of living with ‘nature’ for decades and that we have to live with them. However, many are starting to ask, Is it time to retreat? Can communities continue to survive these ongoing extreme events?

Image Credit: Flickr Stephen Dann – Brisbane Flood 2022

The answers may not be up to communities. It may be up to governments to make these hard decisions as they start to weigh the costs of preparation, crisis management, emergency events and prevention to save communities. Some parts of the world have experienced multiple extreme events in a short period, such as four 1 in 100-year flood events in eighteen months in Eastern Australia. Some of these areas will no longer be able to be insured as insurance companies undertake risk assessments and determine they can no longer afford to insure flood-prone areas. Insurance companies may start to push developers and governments to take a more proactive approach to developing communities.

Governments are being requested to provide greater (financial and emergency)assistance more often due to increased extreme weather events. They, too, will have to start determining how long governments (local/regional/country) can afford to fund emergency assistance and compensation for residents.

As cities grew and land values increased, governments (due to developer and internal lobbying) started rezoning cheap land areas for housing and development to keep prices down and maintain a competitive edge with surrounding areas. The cheap land areas were often in flood zones on rivers and coasts. Inappropriate development also occurred along coastlines to increase land values (and taxes) associated with water views. However, this type of planning has now created vast areas of flood and fire-prone communities. It is also worth acknowledging that some towns and communities were makeshift due to industry (mining, fishing, freight, etc.) and developed over time when planning was ad-hoc.

Read the full article as first published on World Landscape Architecture