Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action

2019 Diversity Summit participants — images: from the 2019 Diversity Summit Report

2019 Diversity Summit Report

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Action: Supporting Emerging Professionals – Inspiring the Next Generation of Landscape Architects – Connecting Design to Real-World Solutions

In 2013, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) convened its first Diversity Summit with the goal of developing a deeper understanding of why landscape architecture as a profession doesn't attract a more diverse profile. Each summit brings together a group of experienced and emerging landscape architects who identify as African American or Latinx to develop strategies that address diversity issues in the field. These strategies are compiled into Diversity Summit summaries and reports, which are implemented throughout the year and reexamined at the following year's summit.

This year, seventeen landscape architects from across the country participated, representing a wide array of sectors including residential design, education, horticulture, and urban planning. They were chosen to help address challenges in diversifying the profession and build upon recommendations for a path forward. Interested parties apply to participate in the summit, and are chosen by a panel of experts each year.

Today, ASLA released the 2019 Diversity Summit Report, the product of the summit held this spring. The report examines issues that African American, Latinx, Native American, and other underrepresented groups face in the landscape architecture profession.

As ASLA continues to advance the recommendations of past Diversity Summits, the organization and the growing community of attendees is committed to:

Preparing ASLA members and chapters to adopt and implement engagement outreach strategies to increase educators, new strategic partners, and STEM stakeholders;
Optimizing a contemporary paradigm whereby messaging and resources are developed to showcase unique solutions landscape architects apply to real-world problems, and;
Establishing ASLA national position, values, and goals for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through an awareness campaign for firms, institutions, and individuals.

From left to right: Masako Ikegami, ASLA, Gaylan Williams, ASLA, and Gabriel Diaz Montemayor, ASLA, at the 2019 ASLA Diversity Summit. / image: ASLA

For more information on ASLA’s annual Diversity Summit, visit asla.org/diversitysummit or contact Lisa J. Jennings, Manager, Career Discovery and Diversity.

A record number of Diversity Summit participants will be speaking at the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture in San Diego this November:

Patricia Algara, ASLA

President, BASE Landscape Architecture

SAT-C01 - Inside the LA Studio with BASE Landscape Architecture

Magdalena Aravena, ASLA

Landscape Designer, Hitchcock Design Group

SAT-B07 - Allies, Advocates, and Stakeholders: Building Up Women in Landscape Architecture

Ujijji Davis, ASLA

Landscape Architect, SmithGroup

SUN-A03 - Decolonizing Design: Black Narratives in Landscape Architecture

David Garce, ASLA, LEED AP

Prinicpal, GSBS Architects