Landscape architecture combines art and science. It is the profession that designs, plans and manages our land, dealing with the increasingly complex relationships between the built and natural environments.

Landscape architects plan and design traditional places such as parks, residential developments, campuses, gardens, cemeteries, commercial centers, resorts, transportation facilities, corporate and institutional centers and waterfront developments. They also design and plan the restoration of natural places disturbed by humans such as wetlands, stream corridors, mined areas and forested land. Their appreciation for historic landscapes and cultural resources enables landscape architects to undertake preservation planning projects for national, regional and local historic sites and areas.

Working with architects, city planners, civil engineers and other professionals, landscape architects play an important role in environmental protection by designing and implementing projects that respect both the needs of people and of our environment.

Meeting human needs by making wise use of our environmental resources is work that is in demand today and will continue to be needed in the future.

Required skills:

• Sensitivity to landscape quality
• Understanding of the arts and a humanistic approach to design
• Ability to analyse problems in terms of design and physical form
• Technical competence to translate a design into a built work
• Skills in all aspects of professional practice including management and professional ethics
• Skills in community engagement and multi-disciplinary collaboration
• Knowledge of human behavior, botany, geography and the environment

A formal education is essential to gain these skills and knowledge. Professional education in landscape architecture can be obtained at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Content adapted from American Society of Landscape Architects