TITLE:    Work with Local Government to Grow Landscape Architecture

Presenter: Annette R. Marchesseault, RLA

Approved LACES course

SYNOPSIS:    Landscape architecture sits at the nexus of architecture, urban and regional planning, and civil and environmental engineering. We tend to look at systems rather than individual elements. We examine how people move through sites. We have creative solutions that often are more pleasing and less expensive than the traditional engineered solutions. And yet, the broad range of our skills is not well known or taken advantage of. Whys is that? Why do landscape architects usually play only a supporting role on multi-disciplinary teams? Why don’t landscape architects lead more multi-disciplinary teams? This presentation will delve into how landscape architects can and should establish working relationships with key policy makers – the people who set guidelines and policies, control much of the funding for public work, define project scope, and issue RFPs. Even if there is not a specific ask, these types of meetings can substantially improve the awareness of the profession. I will talk about how to identify key contacts and decision makers, and what messages are effective. I also will examine some policy changes that could help increase opportunities for landscape architects.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.      Learn advocacy skills for meeting with policy makers to increase awareness of the landscape architecture profession.

2.      Understand strategies for working with local government to define meaningful public projects and to elevate the role landscape architects play in executing those projects.

3.      Identify policy changes that could help increase opportunities for landscape architects.

4.      Learn from case studies of those who have worked in or with local government to benefit the field of landscape architecture.