U of I WLAM Events
The University of Idaho Faculty of Landscape Architecture will be celebrating World Landscape Architecture Month with the following events:
April 26, 2016: Birth Day Party
Placing of an Interpretive Marker in the Norway Maple Grove of the University of Idaho Administrative Lawn to celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted’s birthday and the Olmsted Brothers 1908 University of Idaho Master Plan. 11:00 AM. Birthday cake will be served following the ceremony.
April 28, 2016: Lecture and Film Screening
”Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America”
with Laurence Cotton, originator, principal researcher and consulting producer of the PBS documentary of the same title.6:00 PM in the University of Idaho Law Building Courtroom. Refreshments will be served following the presentation.
All Idaho Montana ASLA members are all are invited.
Thank you.
Steve
Stephen R.Drown, ASLA
Professor and Program Head
Faculty of Landscape Architecture
College of Art and Architecture
Extension Education Specialist
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS# 2481
Moscow, ID 83844
208-885-7448
April is World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)
During World Landscape Architecture Month, we will begin a collaborative relationship between ASLA’s chapters and IFLA member organizations around the globe for April and beyond. Our Chapter is partnering with Norway.
ASLA has three initial activity suggestions:
1. “Designed by a Landscape Architect" campaign; photos posted on social media.
2. International Sketch Walk Day: to be announced.
3. Connect ASLA Student Chapters with IFLA student affiliates.
By participating in the "Designed by a Landscape Architect" campaign you can raise awareness of the contribution landscape architects make in our communities and worldwide. It is easy to do. Print the cards that say "Designed by a Landscape Architect", cut one out, hold it up in front of a favorite landscape that was designed by a landscape architect and take a photo of the site, including the card. Check out the Idaho Montana ASLA Facebook page for examples.
The cards to be used are attached to this message and posted on www.idmtasla.org ; print them, share them, send them to others for use in photos. Photos can be submitted by non-landscape architects as long as the site in the photo was designed by a landscape architect. Post them with #WLAM2015 on your favorite social media, including Idaho Montana ASLA Facebook page. Also, please go to www.asla.org/wlam to submit the picture so ASLA can catalogue everything. Be sure to check out what others are posting; it will be a world tour of landscape architecture!
Stay tuned for the International Sketch Walk details.
Finally, we would like to coordinate students from our ASLA chapters to connect with students of landscape architecture affiliated with IFLA organizations. One of our goals during WLAM is reaching students and developing the next generation of landscape architects. The IMASLA Chapter Leadership will be contacting our Student ASLA Chapters soon.
Submitted by Jennie Meinershagen, Public Awareness Liaison, IMASLA MT Vice-President
Claiming Ownership of Public Space: By Jennie Meinershagen
What happens when the neighbors start taking over public space? What happens when they don't? The City of Missoula, Montana, depends on property owners to maintain the non-vehicular public right of way adjacent to their property; it is required by ordinance.
IMASLA NEWSLETTER ARTICLE, OCTOBER 16, 2014
CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC SPACE
Photos & article by Jennie Meinershagen
What happens when the neighbors start taking over public space? What happens when they don't? The City of Missoula, Montana, depends on property owners to maintain the non-vehicular public right of way adjacent to their property; it is required by ordinance. The results vary widely, from neglect to delightful surprise. Three years after my design for the City had been implemented I saw what can happen when neighbors claim public space during a recent, casual project review.
In 2010 the City of Missoula undertook major revisions on North Higgins Avenue. In addition to lowering the crowns on the road, improving pedestrian crossing safety, installing period lighting and adding a modified cycle-track to the three blocks, planting areas were created at the intersections. There is no irrigation to these plantings and the area is heavily used both day and night. Maintenance of the plantings is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.
At the intersections where the public space has been claimed, the plantings are thriving and being added to in ways that express uniqueness of the neighbor. At the neglected intersections, plantings are trampled, dry and filling with cigarette butts. When the neighbors take ownership of public space the entire community benefits.
The original planting for the city plan included only ornamental grasses that could withstand no watering and little care. This summer the property owners at several corners added annual flowers and oak barrels. During construction, the patrons at one bar requested sunflowers so they could nibble on the seeds; their corner is now full of color.
Our communities are a reflection of the people who live in them. Claiming ownership of public space results in places that reflect the people who spend the most time in those spaces. Community participation in the planning and maintenance of public spaces is key to the success of those places.