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| Sunday, 26 March 2006 |
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Features |  |
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Ensuring sustainability through landscaping Landscape architecture. Though the word sounds too technical the concept is entwined in Sri Lankan culture. Remnants of the sprawling royal gardens of Sigiya and Polonnaruwa still attract many admirers. The need for proper landscaping has become pertinent today, due to environmental concerns. Proper designing of landscapes create a favourable environment for sustainable use of resources. In this context a convergence of professionals is imperative. Thus the labour pains for The Sri Lankan Institute of Landscape Architectures. The institute will get cabinet approval at the end of April announces the steering committee of SLILA. Landscape Architecture has a vital role to play in sustainable development anywhere in the world, and formation of an institute to further the profession and establish high standards in its practice is long overdue in Sri Lanka. The International Federation of Landscape Architecture based in Versailles, France, defines the profession for the international standard classification of occupations/international labour office/Geneva, as follows: Landscape Architects conduct research and advice on planning, design and stewardship of the outdoor environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment, and its conservation and sustainability of development. For the profession of landscape architect, a degree in landscape architecture is required. Tasks include: Developing new or improved theories, policy and methods for landscape planning, design and management at local, regional, national and multinational levels; developing policy, plans and implementing and monitoring proposals, as well as developing new or improved theories and methods for national parks and other conservation and recreation areas; developing new or improved theories and methods to promote environmental awareness and undertaking planning, design, restoration, management and maintenance of cultural and/or historic landscapes, parks, site and gardens; planning, design, management, maintenance and monitoring functional and aesthetic layouts of built environment in urban, suburban and rural areas including private and public open spaces, parks, gardens, streetscapes, plazas, housing developments, burial grounds, memorials, tourist, commercial, industrial and educational complexes, sports grounds, zoos, botanic gardens, recreation areas and farms; contributing to the planning, aesthetic and functional design, location, management and maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, dams, energy and major development projects; undertaking landscape assessments including environmental and visual impact assessments with a view to developing policy or undertaking projects; inspecting sites, analyzing factors such as climate, soil, flora, fauna, surface and subsurface water and drainage, and consulting with clients and making recommendations regarding methods of work and sequences of operations for projects related to the landscape and built environment; identifying and developing appropriate solutions regarding the quality and use of the built environment in urban, suburban and rural areas, and making designs, plans and working drawings, specifications of work, cost estimates and time schedules; monitoring the realisation and supervising the construction of proposals to ensure compliance with plans, specifications of work, cost estimates and time schedules; conducting research, preparing scientific papers and technical reports, developing policy, teaching, and advising on aspects regarding landscape architecture such as the application of geographic information systems, remote sensing, law, landscape communication, interpretation and landscape ecology; managing landscape planning and design projects; performing related tasks; supervising other workers. This comprehensive, internationally accepted definition clearly describes the varied, multi-level scope of landscape architecture and should dispel any narrow notions of it that may have prevailed in this country. The task is now to ensure that the profession in Sri Lanka will live up to this description, and that professionals are adequately trained in adequate numbers to ably serve our society, while nurturing the growth of such human resources in all relevant organisations, in both the private and public sectors. |
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