FRI-C08: Landscape Architecture Beyond the Olmstedian Narrative: Reclaiming, Reframing, and Reinventing the Profession

Friday, November 11, 2022

1:30pm – 3:00pm PT

Location: Moscone Center, Room 211-212

1.50 PDH, LA CES/HSW, AICP, FL, NY/non-HSW

Lead Speaker(s)

N Claire Napawan, ASLA

Associate Professor
University of California Davis
Davis, California

Speaker(s)

Debra Guenther, FASLA

Design Partner
Mithun
Seattle, Washington
Linda M. Chamorro, ASLA

Assistant Professor
Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Olivia Bussey, Associate ASLA

Landscape Designer
Curtis + Rogers Design Studio
Margate , Florida

This presentation challenges landscape architects to address the current socio-ecological moment by interrogating our Olmstedian origin story. Members of the Landscape Architecture Foundation’s 2021–22 Fellowship for Leadership and Innovation propose new futures for our field through the reclaiming, reframing, and reinventing of our profession as defined by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify shortcomings of the Olmstedian narrative and its negative impact on efforts to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession.
Identify alternative narratives to the Olmstedian origin story of the practice; citing specific examples of BIPOC landscape architecture projects, designers, and approaches.
Learn to employ new techniques of community engagement that will increase the efficacy of yourr practice.
Identify the ways in which the profession may gain authority and agency to impact more change in the built environment.