Why landscape architecture?

Abstract

The big question in the discipline of landscape architecture hides within a deceptively short and simple word – why? The question may be asked by others outside the profession – why should landscape architecture be engaged and what value does it bring to a project, public policy, a university or society? We may ask a ‘why’ question ourselves – why do we propose this design process? That design expression? This landscape classification? That policy? In short, what is the distinctive contribution we, as landscape architects, are making to the wellbeing of the world in which we live and work? Why landscape architecture?