M - Free or discounted for Members
$ - Available to Non-Members for a fee
Papers in ASLA’s LATIS series provide practicing landscape architects with technical information about new and evolving practices and products. These peer-reviewed papers are a key vehicle for members to share their expertise. LATIS is a product of the ASLA Fund, and all LATIS papers are available for free to ASLA members.
LATIS is also a convenient and affordable way to earn the professional development hours (PDH) you need to meet your state’s licensure requirements. LATIS enables you to earn up to 5.0 PDH by completing and passing a self-study exam.
ASLA members pre-pay a $40 processing fee for scoring the exam.
Non-members may purchase a LATIS report for $50, and pre-pay a $40 processing fee for scoring the exam.
Revised Procedures for LATIS Reports and affect to PDH Hours
ASLA has begun to implement a new process for assigning professional development hours (PDH) to self-exams. This new process is currently associated with the three most recent LATIS reports, “Successful Ecological Restoration,” “Integrating BIM Technology into Landscape Architecture,” and “Green Roof Infrastructure.” The process will apply to all new LATIS reports, and eventually, will extend to all of the older available LATIS reports.
Under the new process, ASLA will determine the number of hours for the LATIS reports by following the guidelines of the LA CES program (Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System). This system requires education providers to verify how the numbers of hours were determined by having a minimum of five individuals test the program and submit in writing to ASLA the number of hours that it took them to complete the course. The average of the responses is the number of hours assigned to the program. Thus, the PDH assigned to each new LATIS self-exam will vary, depending on the number of hours it took the individual testers to read the materials.
Note: At this time, the change to PDH will ONLY affect the three LATIS reports noted above. As the remaining LATIS reports are gradually reviewed following the LA CES guidelines, the number of corresponding PDH will be revised accordingly.
LATIS Reports
Successful Ecological Restoration, M, $
Authors Lee R. Skabelund, ASLA; G.M. Kondolf; Craig W. Johnson; and Allegra Bukojemsky, ALSA, present 
principles of ecological restoration, with a focus on how landscape architects can incorporate these principles into their projects, and how they can work with scientists to meet ecological restoration project goals. The importance of collaboration between designers, planners, scientists, and stakeholders in such projects is emphasized. An extensive resource list provides project examples from different ecosystems and regions of the U.S.
3.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Integrating BIM Technology into Landscape Architecture, M, $
James L. Sipes, ASLA, provides a detailed discussion about Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology and the various tools that allow for the creation of detailed 3D models. These tools can simplify the process of designing complex spaces and allow design, planning, and construction disciplines to work seamlessly throughout a project. While BIM has traditionally been used in building construction, Sipes explains how various tools can be applied to landscape architecture. The LATIS also includes a comprehensive discussion of BIM standards, applications, and currently available programs. Highlighted are several projects to which BIM has been applied, along with numerous illustrations of its use.
2.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Green Roof Infrastructure, M,$
In this LATIS by Steven Peck, Honorary ASLA, of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, readers can learn about the history, benefits, design, construction, and maintenance of green roofs. The document also provides a series of project profiles, illustrating award-winning green roofs across North America. An expanded project profile tells the story of the development of ASLA’s green roof.
3.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Security Design in a New Cultural and Legal Landscape, M,$
Author Sean E. Michael, Ph.D., discusses security design principles and their applications, providing a framework for building skills and for judging when retention of a security specialist is appropriate. Increased understanding of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and its associated forms of security design will encourage readers to strategically integrate new tools of analysis into the design process.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Wayfinding: Principles and Practice, M,$
David Raphael, ASLA, provides landscape architects with concepts and tools for planning, designing, and implementing wayfinding and public information systems. Topics include the origins of wayfinding, its components, human factors, the design process, recent innovations, and a sampling of wayfinding systems. Attention is given to the skills that landscape architects bring to the process of designing these systems. Throughout the publication, numerous photographs and other images illustrate and reinforce the concepts presented.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
LATIS Forum on Therapeutic Garden Design, M,$
The LATIS Forum on Therapeutic Landscapes discusses the practice of creating landscapes to support human health and wellbeing. Authors explore how this practice area, rooted deeply in tradition, is evolving to meet modern needs arising from various life circumstances. Successful designs and the process to create them vary according to the special needs of user groups. Readers will learn how therapeutic landscapes provide benefits to all humans, both in clinical and institutional settings and in the matrix of everyday life.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Geographic Information Systems Using the Tools for Informed Growth, M,$
Karen Hanna, FASLA, reveals ways to identify appropriate existing datasets and use them as a baseline for recording current and prospective site conditions and uses. GIS techniques promote application of sophisticated scientific models to the landscape, and combine effectively with other digital technologies such as graphs and photo simulations. The results of GIS models are eminently useful for site planning, growth planning, and implementation phasing.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Structural Soils, M,$
Structural soils are a new medium to allow urban trees to grow in pavement. When soils are inadequate, plant growth suffers and trees die prematurely. This publication includes sections on soil terminology, site preparation, and installation of soil material. The authors are Jason Grabosky, Nina Bassuk and Peter Trowbridge, FASLA.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Design for Learning: Values, Qualities and Processes of Enriching
School Landscapes, M,$
Julie M. Johnson, ASLA, AICP presents learning values of school landscapes, as well as design qualities and processes that may enrich these landscapes for children and community. Concepts and issues are introduced with literature references and examples. These concepts are used as a lens to view three Seattle case studies that illustrate varied contexts of school landscapes.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Reclamation Planning of Pits and Quarries, M,$
Anthony Bauer, FASLA, discusses the mining and reclamation practices of the construction aggregate industry, As urban land users, mining companies face challenging issues in land use, environmental concerns, regulation, and community relations. These issues represent opportunities for the responsible involvement of landscape architects in reclamation planning processes and end use development. Reclamation planning elements and procedures are illustrated.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
Vegetated Swales, M,$
Authors, Tom Richman, ASLA, Keith H. Lichten, AM, ASCE, Jennifer Worth, ASLA and Bruce Ferguson, FASLA explain the hydrologic cycle and the benefits of vegetated swales including reducing peak flows and pollutant removal. In addition to describing appropriate applications for vegetated swales, hydraulics and grading, geometric design principles, construction, plant materials, maintenance and monitoring effectiveness are covered.
5.0 PDH
Members proceed to download
Non-members can purchase online
