.png)
AILA’s partnership with the Cancer Council & NSW Cancer Institute to advance the ShadeSmart Program is an important opportunity for Landscape Architects to lead quality planning and design for Shade and UV skin cancer prevention in Australia through the delivery of sustainable public spaces and healthy communities. Skin cancer will affect 2 in 3 Australians in their lifetime.
AILA's Key Partners
Cancer Institute NSW
We are NSW's cancer control agency, established to lessen the impact of cancer across the State. Our vision: To end cancers as we know them. We work across the health care system to promote better:
- cancer prevention
- early detection
- diagnosis, treatment and care
The Cancer Institute NSW is a pillar organisation of NSW Health, providing the strategic direction for cancer control in NSW. We collect and use the latest cancer data, information and evidence to drive improvements in cancer outcomes. We are the largest funder of cancer research in the state, with a focus on the translation of research findings into clinical practice.
Cancer Council
We believe in a cancer free future. Cancer Council NSW is a member of the Cancer Council Federation. Every year almost 48,000 people in NSW are diagnosed with cancer. So every day we offer support to families affected by cancer, speak out on behalf of our community and find new and better ways to detect and treat cancer.
Aim of the ShadeSmart Program
ShadeSmart aims to support landscape architects and other built environment professionals to improve their awareness and understanding of quality shade for UV and heat protection.
The program is focused on four key areas:
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through AILA
- Influencing relevant planning and design policy and standards
- Promoting best-practice shade through AILA awards
- Conducting research into shade design and technology
- Free CPD-accredited courses for landscape architects will be offered through AILA in 2022.
CPD Program
Learning Objectives
- To understand the burden of skin cancer in Australia, the importance of reducing exposure to UV radiation and relevance to the landscape architecture profession.
- To understand direct and indirect UV radiation, and the variables which affect UV levels.
- To understand the path of the sun and its effect on shade.
- To understand what is meant by quality shade for UV protection, including options for built and natural shade.
- To be able to describe the steps of planning and designing shade, including conducting a shade audit
- To understand considerations for procuring, managing and evaluating shade
- To be aware of the legislation and policy relating to shade provision and landscape architecture.
Modules Schedule
- Health Challenge - February 2022
- Shade & U.V. - April 2022
- Planning - June 2022
- Design - August 2022
- Compliance - October 2022
NSW ShadeSmart Award
In 2023 all AILA Chapter will offer a new optional Award Category, the ShadeSmart Award. Entries will be able to have a cross category inclusion and will "opt in" at time of submission to be considered for the AILA ShadeSmart Award for their design.
Awards criteria
- Demonstrated best practice in policy and planning for shade and UV effectiveness,
- Innovative design that delivers structured and natural shade outcomes to support healthy living, human wellbeing, and climate responsive solutions,
- Contribution by Landscape Architects to ‘ShadeSmart’ research, education and/or community engagement.
ShadeSmart Media
PHRP: Integrating shade provision into the healthy built environment agenda: the approach taken in NSW, Australia
Elizabeth L King, Susan Thompson, Nicola Groskops