[WBS]

Thank you for the thorough response. It is helpful. I guess now that I think about it, I am trying to connect what I studied in the LARE to professional practice. I remember a question being something like, use the rational method to calculate the detention basion size and place it on site.

So in real practice, this will likely be a multi-disciplinary team that is working out the site drainage details, and not a LA using the rational method to allocate space for on-site detention, with a CE coming in after to do the drainage calculations, pipes. etc. Correct?

[WBS]

So are you saying that for a typical commercial project, if the developer does not value or need good site design, there is no way they are going to get a landscape architect to do site work because it is redundant because a CE will be required anyway? If we try to compete, we will lose because they will always need the CE stamp.

What about a situation where, let’s say, due to Covid-19 Chipolte wants to focus on large outdoor eating spaces and they want to have a Landscape Architect lead their site design. How would the technical work be divided between a LA and CE?

[WBS]

I guess as a young professional, I am still learning how the landscape architecture world works, especially the relationship with CE. I found a random plan set for a chipotle in Wisconsin. These seem to be typical of a Civil Set.

https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/documents/7066sd_site.pdf

C100 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY
C200 DEMOLITION PLAN
C300 SITE AND DIMENSION PLAN
C400 UTILITY PLAN
C500 GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL PLAN
C600 LANDSCAPE PLAN
C700 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
C800 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Obviously, a topographic survey is for a PLS, and the Utility Plan and subsequent CD’s are for a PE, but the demolition plan, site plan, dimension plan, and grading and erosion control plan are all within our legal areas of expertise, correct?

[WBS]

Thanks for the input! I do understand.

I guess my main observation is, I will see a plan set prepared by a civil engineer and it seems 90 percent of the content of these plans could reasonability be prepared by an LA. Seems like an LA can do most of this work and sub out the drainage plan and utility plan to a CE? It seems to me it would be cheaper to go this route (less engineering hours billed, because LA did that work)?

[WBS]

Is there a best practices type checklist of all items needed in a CD set?

[WBS]

I wouldn’t get in the mindset of you are leaving landscape architecture, you are just picking up an additional set of skills. Alot of firms do both LA and CE.

I think the new generations are starting to see the writing on the wall and are getting supplemental education/training in interrelated fields (arch/CE/plan).

[WBS]

I work in a planning department on the west coast. That is good to know that some LA’s are taking this role, seems like a natural fit.

[WBS]

I guess I was just trying to facilitate a conversation and didn’t have any specific questions. Thanks for letting me know!

I agree that a CE might be more helpful leading the entitlement of a parcel map or a subdivision entitlement or in an area that specific stormwater/infrastructure constraints may be present because most of the project concerns would likely be directed to an CE to address. Of course, if the jurisdiction just needs a site plan and a project description, it might a great opportunity for an LA to navigate the regulations of site design for a land developer, lets say.

[WBS]

Just to elaborate a bit, do we stamp all construction documents for intellectual property or maybe insurance purposes, or only because a City or HOA required a licensed professional to do the work?

[Author]

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