Landscape Architecture as a Career

Landscape architecture, integrating humanities, natural sciences, design, and technical expertise—with emphasis on nature-based solutions—can effectively contribute to responsible land stewardship and building resilient environments and communities. Being landscape architecture inherently a transdisciplinary profession, researchers and practitioners in this field are well equipped with the knowledge and skills to address complex problems and lead the exploration, development and execution of innovative solutions for current global challenges related to climate change and environmental and social justice.

A career in landscape architecture is fascinating for the diversity of scopes, contexts— urban, rural and natural environments—and project scales. Landscape architects have a tremendous range of expertise and practice fields, from regional landscape planning, to park systems design, urban design, green infrastructure and storm water management, public space and street design, gardens and outdoor installations. Implementing holistic approaches to the design and reclamation of extraction and material/energy production sites and waste management sites (such as quarries, energy plants, landfills), as well as regeneration of disused or marginal spaces, is also a compelling contribution that landscape architects can offer. In all contexts and at all scales, landscape architecture aims to preserving and generating healthy habitats, and creating meaningful places for people. 

With increasing urban densification and regional land use intensification, the role of Landscape Architecture practitioners is focused on creating sustainable, high-quality, social and ecological placemaking.

Landscape architects design and build with plants, soil, water, landform and architectural materials, interacting with the ever evolving anthropogenic and natural processes. 

In their practice, landscape architects work closely with engineers, architects, planners, agronomists, biologists, and other experts, in both the private and public sector, at local, national and international project scales. Whether working as an independent practitioner or as part of a large firm, the career of a landscape architect can take many directions and forms. 

Landscape Architecture education and practice offer a variety of career opportunities and specializations that will help create the cultural landscapes and design solutions needed in the future. The Landscape Architecture profession incorporates ethical codes of practice and social responsibility.