What skills does a landscape architect need?

A landscape architect needs 17 essential skills including landscape architecture, green space strategies, landscape design, aesthetics, urban planning. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace landscape architect jobs?

The AI disruption score for landscape architect is 24/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2162

landscape architect

Landscape architects plan and design the construction of gardens and natural spaces. They determine the specifications and distribution of the space. Moreover, landscape architects research and analyse the potential of the landscape at all stages, scales and contexts of the development process, combining, an understanding of the natural space with a sense of aesthetics in order to create a harmonious space.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (17)

landscape architecturelandscape architectureThe principles and practices used in the architecture and design of outdoor areas.green space strategiesgreen space strategiesThe authority’s vision on how to use its green space. This includes the goals it wants to achieve, the resources, methods, legislative framework, and time needed to meet these goals.landscape designlandscape designThe principles and practices used in landscape design and maintenance.aestheticsaestheticsSet of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.urban planningurban planningPolitical and technical process that seeks to design the urban environment and optimize land use by considering various aspects such as infrastructure, water, and green and social spaces.architecture regulationsarchitecture regulationsThe regulations, statutes, and legal agreements existing in the European Union in the field of architecture.ecologyecologyThe study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.landscape analysislandscape analysisThe methods of analysis and computation used in the design of outdoor spaces.advise on landscapesadvise on landscapesGive advice on the planning, development and care of new and existing landscapes.design spatial layout of outdoor areasdesign spatial layout of outdoor areasDesign the spatial layout and functional and architectural appearance of outdoor areas. Integrate green spaces, social spaces, and regulatory aspects in outdoor design.design landscape schemesdesign landscape schemesDesign landscaping schemes and create scale models, according to specifications and budget.provide cost benefit analysis reportsprovide cost benefit analysis reportsPrepare, compile and communicate reports with broken down cost analysis on the proposal and budget plans of the company. Analyse the financial or social costs and benefits of a project or investment i...identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.specify landscape design componentsspecify landscape design componentsCreate design components and materials which are appropriate to site, purpose and expected usage. Recommend plants and materials suitable to the scheme and within budget.integrate measures in architectural designsintegrate measures in architectural designsIntegrate measurements, taken at sites or included in the project, into the design and drafting of architectural projects. Integrate considerations such as fire safety, acoustics, and building physics...develop architectural plansdevelop architectural plansDraft a master plan for building sites and landscape plantings. Prepare detailed development plans and specifications in accordance with applicable laws. Analyse private development plans for their ac...manage landscape design projectsmanage landscape design projectsMake preparations for the development of parks, recreation areas and roadside landscaping. Prepare designs, drawings and specifications for such projects and estimate the costs.

Optional (34)

zero-energy building designzero-energy building designThe design and building principle whereby the net amount of energy used by the building equals the amount of renewable energy created by the building itself. The concept refers to self-sustaining cons...energy performance of buildingsenergy performance of buildingsFactors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.soil structuresoil structureDiversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.forest conservationforest conservationThe practice of planting and maintaining forested areas for preserving and protecting forests and the environment.plant speciesplant speciesThe variety of plants, trees and shrubs and their special characteristics.historic architecturehistoric architectureThe techniques and styles of various periods in history from an architectural standpoint.civil engineeringcivil engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.energy efficiencyenergy efficiencyField of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the dem...characteristics of plantscharacteristics of plantsThe varieties, characteristics and structural and functional features of plants, depending on their habitat.landscaping materialslandscaping materialsField of information which distinguishes certain required materials, such as wood and wood chips, cement, pebbles and soil for landscaping purposes.green building practicesgreen building practicesThe practices involved in the design and creation of building structures in an environmentally responsible, cost effective and resource-effective way. Green building practices such as using eco-friend...horticulture principleshorticulture principlesThe standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.flower and plant productsflower and plant productsThe offered flower and plant products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.liaise with local authoritiesliaise with local authoritiesMaintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.carry out tenderingcarry out tenderingPlace the request for a quotation to the organisation requesting a tender, then perform the work or supply the goods agreed with them during the tendering process.conduct land surveysconduct land surveysConduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and d...advise on soil and water protectionadvise on soil and water protectionAdvise on methods to protect soil and water sources against pollution such as nitrate leaching which is responsible for soil erosion.use manual draughting techniquesuse manual draughting techniquesUse non-computerised draughting techniques to make detailed drawings of designs by hand with specialised tools such as pencils, rulers and templates.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).promote sustainabilitypromote sustainabilityPromote the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through speeches, guided tours, displays and workshops.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.communicate with local residentscommunicate with local residentsExplain building and landscaping projects to local residents in order to obtain their approval and co-operation.operate landscaping equipmentoperate landscaping equipmentOperate a variety of landscaping equipment and hand tools such as: chain saws, line trimmers, tillers, back hoes, bobcats, chemical sprayer, bed edgers, rake, mowers, blowers, spreader, portable sprin...lead hard landscape projectslead hard landscape projectsLead hard landscaping projects including paving, block paving and driveways, brickwork and block work, steps and changes in level, water features, pergolas and wooden structures. Read landscaping blue...build a product's physical modelbuild a product's physical modelBuild a model of the product out of wood, clay or other materials by using hand or electrical tools.finish project within budgetfinish project within budgetMake sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.create landscape designscreate landscape designsUse creative ideas to conceptualize landscape projects by making designs, drawings and sketches. These designs consist of parks, highways or walkways and try to create a public functional area.create thematic mapscreate thematic mapsUse various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.create GIS reportscreate GIS reportsUse relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.provide technical expertiseprovide technical expertiseProvide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.assess environmental impactassess environmental impactMonitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation's environmental risks while taking costs into account.coordinate construction activitiescoordinate construction activitiesCoordinate the activities of several construction workers or crews to make sure they do not interfere with each other and to ensure that the works are done in a timely manner. 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