Australian Institute of Landscape Architects

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) is the Australian non-profit professional institute formed to serve the mutual interests of its members and the wider profession of landscape architecture throughout Australia.

http://www.aila.org.au

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) provides the primary leadership, structure and network to effectively harness and focus the intellectual energy of Australian landscape architects in the creation of more meaningful, enjoyable, equitable and sustainable environments.

Increasing urbanisation and growing pressures on natural systems, reflect a complex set of social, physical, economic, aesthetic and cultural forces. Achieving effective and sustainable outcomes for the totality of the built and natural environment requires an integrated response.

The public domain, in which the majority of landscape architects operate, plays an increasingly important role as the venue for social interaction, celebration and human endeavour. Consequently it is essential that the public domain incorporate places that are meaningful, enjoyable, and equitable for the people who use them.

Landscape architects play a leading role in defining and implementing such integrated solutions. To fulfill their leadership role, landscape architects are not only creative in planning and design but also effective in influencing policy, priorities, allocation of resources and public perceptions and expectations. AILA provides the national organisational structure through which landscape architects in Australia effectively respond to these challenges.

AILA is a non-profit professional institute formed to serve the mutual interests of its members and the wider profession throughout Australia. The Institute promotes the activities of landscape architects.

The organisation of the AILA is based on a federal system with a National Council and eight state/territory groups. The governance of AILA is vested in the National Council. The State Groups provide a forum for the activities of members, and carry out the work of the Institute at State and local level.

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Membership categories include:

Registered Landscape Architect: The term used to identify Australian professionally recognised landscape architects; they are full voting members of the AILA; includes registered landscape architects practicing in the disciplines of landscape design & construct, landscape planning, landscape management, urban design, and those landscape architects employed as academics within universities.

Fellow: An honour in recognition of service to the AILA and/or the profession, the honour may be bestowed upon registered members by the AILA National Council.

Graduate: Graduates of an AILA accredited program - graduate membership lasts for four years from the date of graduation.

Student: Open to students of AILA accredited programs.

Affiliate: Open to those who are not landscape architects with an interest in landscape architecture and the AILA's activities and priorities.

http://www.aila.org.au/membership

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Within Australia, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) provides professional recognition for landscape architects. Once recognised, landscape architects use the title ‘Registered Landscape Architect’.

Across the eight states and territories within Australia, there is a mix of requirements for landscape architects to be ‘Registered’. Generally there is no clear legislative registration requirement in place. Any regulations or requirements are state based, not national.

The AILA’s system of professional recognition is a national system overseen by AILA’s National Office in Canberra.

Most agencies require AILA professional recognition or registration as part of the pre-requisite for contracts. Landscape architects within Australia find that many contracts and competitions require the AILA recognition or ‘registration’ as the basis of demonstrating a professional status.

To apply for AILA Registration, an applicant usually needs to satisfy the following pre-requisites:

1. A university qualification from an AILA accredited program.

2. At least two years of practice.

3. A record of Continuing Professional Practice (CPD).

The application is in two stages:

1. First Stage: A minimum 6 months (12 months preferred) period of mentoring and assessment.

2. Second Stage: Oral assessment/interview.

Professional recognition includes a commitment to continue professional development. AILA Registered Landscape Architects are required to report annually on their Continuing Professional Development.

The AILA has in place processes to recognise equivalent qualifications and experience, which when combined with a number of years of recognised practice as a landscape architect, may provide the basis of recognition as a Registered Landscape Architect.

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Awards

The AILA’s Landscape Architecture Project Awards promote and advance the profession of landscape architecture by:

1. Fostering public awareness and recognition of the work of landscape architects.

2. Encouraging good practice by members of the landscape architecture profession.

3. Creating local, regional, national and global recognition for Australian Landscape Architects.

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AILA Project Award Categories:

Design

Planning

Land Management

Research and Communication

There is also a special national residential award:The National Edna Walling Award for Residential Landscape Design

http://www.aila.org.au/awards

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The AILA accredits landscape architecture programs at seven Australian universities:

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)

University of Adelaide

University of Canberra

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

University of Melbourne

University of Western Australia (UWA)

http://www.aila.org.au/education

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The AILA Definition of the profession of landscape architect

Landscape Architects research, plan, design and advise on the stewardship, conservation and sustainability of development of the environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment.

This definition of the profession of landscape architect is based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations, International Labour Office, Geneva.

To become a recognised professional landscape architect in Australia, the first requirement is to obtain a degree in landscape architecture accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).

After at least two years of recognised professional practice, graduates may submit for further assessment to obtain full professional recognition by the AILA.

Scope of work includes:

1. Developing new or improved theories, policy and methods for landscape planning, design and management at local, regional, national and multinational levels.

2. Developing policies and plans and implementing and monitoring proposals for conservation and recreation areas such as national parks.

3. Developing new or improved theories and methods to promote environmental awareness and undertaking planning, design, restoration, management and maintenance of cultural and/or historic landscapes, parks, sites and gardens.

4. Planning, design, management, maintenance and monitoring functional and aesthetic layouts of built environment in urban, suburban, and rural areas including private and public open spaces, parks, gardens, streetscapes, plazas, housing developments, burial grounds, memorials; tourist, commercial, industrial and educational complexes; sports grounds, zoos, botanic gardens, recreation areas and farms.

5. Contributing to the planning, aesthetic and functional design, location, management and maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, dams, wind farms and other energy and major development projects.

6. Undertaking landscape assessments including environmental and visual impact assessments to prepare policies or inform new developments.

7. Inspecting sites, analysing factors such as climate, soil, flora, fauna, surface and subsurface water and drainage; and consulting with clients and making recommendations regarding methods of work and sequences of operations for projects related to the landscape and built environment.

8. Identifying and developing appropriate solutions regarding the quality and use of the built environment in urban, suburban and rural areas and making designs, plans and working drawings, specifications of work, cost estimates and time schedules.

9. Monitoring the realisation and inspecting the construction of proposals to ensure compliance with plans, specifications of work, cost estimates and time schedules.

10. Conducting research, preparing scientific papers and technical reports, developing policy, teaching, and advising on aspects regarding landscape architecture such as the application of geographic information systems, remote sensing, law, landscape communication, interpretation and landscape ecology.

11. Project management of large scale landscape planning and design projects including management of other consultants such as engineers, architects and planners.

12. Acting as an expert witness in Development and Environment Courts

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The AILA is a member association of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA).

The AILA is a member of the Australian Council for the Built Environment Design Professions (BEDP).

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The AILA was established in 1966 with an interim committee chaired by Richard Clough. The original subscribers were Malcolm Bunzli, Harry Howard, Bruce MacKenzie, Ray Margules, Professor Lindsay Pryor, David Steane, Jean Verschuer, Gavin Walkley, George Williams. In 1967, this interim committee handed over to an elected Council with Peter Spooner as its first National President.

The AILA Presidents 1966 - present:

1966 - 1967- Interim Council Chair: Richard Clough

1967 - 1969 - Peter Spooner

1969 - 1971 - Richard Clough

1971 - 1973 - Gavin Walkley

1973 - 1975 - Malcolm Bunzli

1975 - 1977 - Ray Margules

1977 - 1979 - Jean Verschuer

1979 - 1981 - George Williams

1981 - 1983 - Bruce Mackenzie

1983 - 1985 - Catherin Bull

1985 - 1987 - Geoff Sanderson

1987 - 1989 - Ian Oelrichs

1989 - 1991 - Adrian Pilton

1991 - 1993 - Ken Taylor

1993 - 1995 - Alan Chenoweth

1995 - 1997 - Leonard Lynch

1997 - 1999 - Glenn Thomas

1999 - 2001 - James Hayter

2001 - 2003 - Noel Corkery

2003 - 2005 - Tony Cox

2005 - 2007 - Mark Fuller

2007 - 2009 - Neil Hobbs