The Landscape Architect who graduates from the LM course in Landscape Architecture, Land, Landscape and Heritage, conducts research and consults on the design, planning, administration, conservation and sustainable development of landscapes, of open spaces and the environment, both within and without urban contexts (IFLA, 2003); they design and plan urban and rural landscapes in space and time, based on the natural characteristics and historical and cultural values of the territory (EFLA, 1989); at the heart of the landscape architect’s skillset are landscape planning (including the definition and management of policies); landscape projects (changes due to physical intervention); landscape management (policies and physical changes over time); also included among intervention processes is the involvement of local operators and communities (ECLAS 2010).

It will be possible to work as a self-employed professional or company, with the technical support of multidisciplinary studies (engineering company and environmental consultancy company, etc.), in public administration (parks, environmental consortia, Comune-managed green areas, parks and gardens, environment and territorial sectors, regionally and nationally managed agriculture) and in businesses (specifically in the agricultural, tourism and leisure sectors) and with subjects operating in the third sector, landscape expert and property and landscape-related estate administrator, teaching and research at university level and in private institutions. The LM also allows access into second level Master and Ph.D. programmes.

In Italy the Landscape Designers is the professional figure licensed to practice on the following areas of activity: – planning and management of parks and gardens; – drafting of landscape plans; – restoration of hystoric park and gardens (law 20.6.1909 n.364), with the exception of large  within the Landscape elements.

Graduates in Landscape Architecture are admitted after a state exam, to enroll as member of the “ordine nazionale degli Architetti, Pianificatori, Paesaggisti, Conservatori” (Dpr 5.6.2001). For any further information refer to the link: www.esamidistato.polimi.it

IFLA

Landscape architecture combines environment and design, art and science. It is about everything outside the front door, both urban and rural, at the interface between people and natural systems. The range of ways in which landscape architects work is staggering. From master-planning Olympic sites to planning and managing landscapes like national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty to designing the public squares and parks that we all use, landscape architecture nurtures communities and makes their environment human and liveable.
“Landscape architecture is not just the profession of the future — but the profession for a better future.”
Landscape architects are broad thinkers who thrive on the big picture. They are playing an increasingly important role in addressing the great issues of our day: climate change, sustainable communities, water, housing and the prevention of hunger.

ECLAS

The European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools exists to foster and develop scholarship in landscape architecture throughout Europe by strengthening contacts and enriching the dialogue between members of Europe’s landscape academic community and by representing the interests of this community within the wider European social and institutional context. In pursuit of this goal the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools seeks to build upon the Continent’s rich landscape heritage and intellectual traditions to:

• Further and facilitate the exchange of information, experience and ideas within the discipline of landscape architecture at the European level, stimulating discussion and encouraging co-operation between Europe’s landscape architecture schools through, amongst other means, the promotion of regular international meetings, in particular an annual conference;

• Foster and develop the highest standards of landscape architecture education in Europe by, amongst other things, providing advice and acting as a forum for sharing experience on course and curriculum development, and supporting collaborative developments in teaching;

• Promote interaction between academics and researchers within the discipline of landscape architecture, thereby furthering the development of a Europe-wide landscape academic community, through, amongst other things, the development of common research agendas and the establishment of collaborative research projects;

• Represent the interests of scholarship in landscape architecture within Europe’s higher education system, encourage interdisciplinary awareness and enhance public understanding of the discipline;

• Stimulate dialogue with European landscape architectural practice and with other international organisations furthering landscape scholarship.

• European collaboration within the discipline of landscape architecture began with an informal meeting of European landscape schools in Berlin in 1989, and the subsequent establishment of ECLAS – the “European Conference of Landscape Architecture Schools” in 1991. Since then conferences have been held annually, each hosted by a different landscape architecture school.

AIAP

AIAPP, the Italian Association of Landscape Architecture, promotes the culture of the garden and landscape project. Today it brings together more than 700 members, including professionals, scholars and students committed to protecting, conserving and enhancing the landscape, through the design, research, training and scientific-cultural activities of information and professional updating.

UNISCAPE

UNISCAPE is a European Network of Universities dedicated to landscape studies and education according to the principles of the European Landscape Convention (Florence, 2000). It was created in Florence in January 2008 as a result of the joint initiative of 23 European Universities. Founding members of UNISCAPE are 42 universities from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Belgium, Slovakia and France.
Currently the Network is composed of 56 Universities members from 15 European Countries and 2 private Foundations promoting landscape studies and research.
The aim of UNISCAPE is to support and reinforce scientific interdisciplinary co-operation among European universities regarding landscape issues, especially in the areas of research and teaching. UNISCAPE promotes the principles and the objectives of the European Landscape Convention. Concerning research activities, UNISCAPE promotes study and experimentation activities relating to landscapes, their evolution and transformations.
UNISCAPE encourages and assists its members to provide each other technical and scientific assistance in landscape matters through exchange of experience and the results of research projects; to promote the exchange of landscape specialists, in particular for training and information purposes; to exchange information on all matters covered by the European Landscape Convention requirements.