Reply To: To What Extent Should Ethics and Environemtnal Issues Drive Landscape Architects in their Projects

Design, land usage, and environmental ethics are one in the same, on every project. You cannot choose to address one or the other. Of course, every project requires compromise. It appears that you are trying to get someone to say that its OK for an economic or client service attitude to trump responsible, innovative design.

Its my belief that the health, safety, and welfare of the general public includes not only the personal well being of a potential user, but also the well being of the environment, as the health of “the environment” affects society at large.

Personally, there is absolutely no room for me to make money designing strip malls etc. But if my firm were involved in such a project, I would participate to the best of my abilities so that the project could be completed successfully (from a HSW and hence “environmental” standpoint). As Andrew mentioned, it’s better to be involved and have a small positive impact than to not be involved at all.

While I think that we should be leaders, it seems that in reality we are much more often mediators. That’s the beauty of the field; landscape architects are in the position to put forth leadership in a design, even if it is a small positive voice on a large team of architects, engineers, and developers. Because if we don’t speak up, and exhibit leadership, innovation, and environmental responsibility, then what is the point of our profession?

Landscape architects do need to try harder, become leaders, and suggest innovation rather than repetition any chance they get.