AILA SA held our first Landscape Architects in Public Practice Roundtable yesterday and we were delighted to welcome so many landscape architects working in both local and State Government roles to join the discussion on how AILA can support and help connect landscape architects working in this sector.
Thank you to our long term partner the Office for Design and Architecture (ODASA) for hosting this session and sharing some insight into the work they undertake within South Australia.
We are very lucky in South Australia to have a well established LAPP network already and the AILA SA Executive would like to build on these existing connections to strengthen the offerings and support we can provide to our profession.
Landscape Architects have always played an important role in local government, but as priorities change, these roles in Public Practice may take on a different form and may have a very different focus. Landscape Architects may find themselves in the realms of Project Management, City Shaping and Activation, Public Art liaison, Grants applications, Policy writing and strategy implementation, while direct access to on-the-ground maintenance and horticulture teams, and relationships with asset managers, can shift the focus from design prowess and onto business plans and budget cycles.
The roundtable highlighted the scope and valuable contribution that landscape architects in SA play to shaping our communities.
Discussions included ideas for knowledge sharing, practice support, networking, targeted CPD, raising awareness of membership and registration opportunities and much more.
We hope to hold these networking and knowledge sharing sessions more regularly in SA in 2024 and will explore the ideas that came out of this session to support future initiatives of the Chapter. AILA will also be engaging with landscape architects in public practice around the country and our local discussions will be shared to provide local context and help inform the ongoing work of AILA to create value for our members and also support to the broader profession through advocacy and our collective influence.
If you would like to get involved with future sessions please email [email protected] and please also share with any colleagues who might like to be kept up to date on this initiative.
Carina Green
AILA SA Vice President