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How the Profession is Navigating the Robot Revolution Artificial intelligence (AI) has officially entered the landscape architecture studio. As a rendering tool, a writing and research assistant, and a spreadsheet wizard, it’s quickly becoming part of everyday practice. Like most technological shifts in design, reactions are mixed. For many landscape architects, AI offers real benefits. The question is how it’s implemented. The Practical Benefits of AI in Landscape Architecture Tasks that once consumed hours — drafting outlines, organizing specifications, generating concept imagery, formatting proposals, or assembling preliminary planting studies — can happen in minutes. For small firms, especially, that efficiency matters. Some practitioners are experimenting with AI to help analyze tree ...Read More

Rural towns are making a strategic pivot: build an outdoor recreation economy that can steady local livelihoods when extractive industries swing from boom to bust. In Utah, places like Vernal and Richfield are investing in new experiences—mountain bike and off-highway vehicle networks, events, and destination anchors like the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata—to bring visitors in and keep dollars circulating closer to home. The national context is just as striking: outdoor recreation contributed $1.3 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2024 and supported 5.2 million jobs. But economically healthy communities need more than recreation. People want to move around safely and efficiently once they arrive. The outdoor economy is about destinations—and active transportation. Rather than encouraging a car-centric app...Read More

What changes on the National Mall say about preservation vs renovation The Reflecting Pool “is one of the most iconic structures in the United States, and is an integral part of ‘one of the important axes in the nation, one that aligns several key national symbols including the U.S. Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial,‘” according to a complaint filed by The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF). TCLF has sued the U.S. Department of the Interior, claiming the current application of blue paint to the basin of the Reflecting Pool is being done in violation of federal law. The Reflecting Pool holds profound historic significance, serving as the staging area for marches on Washington, the Pentagon, and many inaugurations. Today, t...Read More

Let’s be honest: At a conference as big as ASLA, the “analysis paralysis” is real. Between the field sessions, the EXPO floor, and a massive list of education sessions, it’s easy to end up with a schedule that looks more like a random collection of cool topics than a strategic plan for your career. But if you want to turn your time in Los Angeles this September into a practice upgrade you can use on Monday, you have to go in with a “Monday morning” mindset. Whether you’re an early-career landscape architect, a seasoned firm owner, or an allied pro (looking at you, architects, arborists, and contractors), here is how to hack the conference’s education sessions to get the most value for your specific vibe. 1) The “Early-Career Accelerator” Track If you’re ...Read More