Research Portal

May 15, 2019

Educating Design Activists in Landscape Architecture

The field of landscape architecture is experiencing a surge of interest in design for transformative social outcomes broadly defined as design activism. As evident in recent award-winning student entries as well as common topics among studio projects and study abroad programs, socially engaged design and professional responses to urgent social and environmental challenges has become a growing aspiration especially among students and emerging practitioners.

However, is the current model of landscape architecture education providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address these urgent issues of equity, justice, and climate adaptation challenges facing vulnerable communities that traditionally lie outside the scope of professional practice? Are we preparing the next generation’s leaders who can elevate and position the profession to be at the forefront of the movement? This project will assemble a group of leading educators/practitioners to produce a white paper and resource guide on educating design activists and leaders in landscape architecture.