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

Mithun partner Debra Guenther is featured within “Landscape Architecture Beyond the Olmstedian Narrative: Reclaiming, Reframing, and Reinventing the Profession,” a panel discussion addressing how the profession needs to evolve to meet the current socio-ecological challenges of our present moment. This includes the great need to diversify our field and better engage the diverse communities impacted by the profession; both of which require landscape architects to confront the legacies of racism, sexism and colonialism that is embedded with our origin story. This panel will interrogate this narrative and how it has informed a practice that ignored many of the injustices with which it is participated. Through reclaiming professional territories of our past, reframing the narratives of it historic practice, and reinventing our role to include a responsibility to underrepresented and marginalized communities, the presenters will propose new goals for the future of Landscape Architecture and its commitments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Deb will not be in attendance although her presentation will be included to generate discussion with the panel and audience. Additional presenters include Claire Napawan, UC Davis; Linda Chamorro, Florida International University; Olivia Bussey; Jim LaGro, University of Wisconsin at Madison; and Ellen White, Rutgers University.

Date Posted: 11.11.2022