Professional Practice Networks
Historic Preservation
Serving two primary functions, the Historic Preservation Professional Practice Network (HP PPN) works to disseminate information to landscape architects working in historic preservation, and to enhance communication among allied professionals and others interested in historic preservation. We discuss historic landscape preservation studies and preservation issues via a LinkedIn group, through posts on The Field, at the HP-PPN meeting during the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture, and during education sessions at the ASLA conference.
Please visit the Resources page for historic background on the HP PPN, and ASLA's Historic Landscapes page for information on the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) and the HP PPN's involvement in the HALS program.
In addition to the HALS Subcommittee and HALS Chapter Liaisons, the Historic Preservation PPN includes the following working groups:
+ Cultural Landscapes Education
+ Complete Streets & Historic Districts
The Historic Preservation PPN Complete Streets Working Group provides a space for members to convene around topics focused on the application of Complete Streets protocols in designated historic districts and whether modest tweaking could reconcile issues that concern preservationists, including landscape architects. Examples include the loss of historic fabric such as boulevards and compromised integrity, such as the introduction of new features that may be incompatible.
+ Landscapes of Equity & Inclusion
The Historic Preservation PPN Landscapes of Equity and Inclusion Working Group considers all sites to be a record of varied histories and communities and a template for universal enjoyment. It encourages all landscape architects to acknowledge and respect a site's history in all stages of site design and interpretation, while making room for rich experiences for all, including those often left out as users.
+ Visual / Scenic Stewardship
The visual environment is one of the most impactful and accessible ways in which people experience the world around them. Landscape architects play a responsible role in the protection, enhancement, and management of the visual landscape at all scales (site/ regional/ national)—whether it be natural or built, rural or urban, land based or seascape—knowing that all environmental change can have a visual effect. Our work includes multidisciplinary collaborations on visual impact assessments, scenic inventories, visual resource management plans, planning and design in visually and culturally sensitive environments, visual mitigation strategies, and visualizations to understand the impacts of alternative futures.
ASLA’s Visual / Scenic Stewardship PPN Working Group is a forum for landscape architects and environmental design, planning, and management professionals to share best professional practice and promote visual harmony between nature, culture, and all people. Our goal is to advance the collaborative practice of visual / scenic environmental stewardship, support the education of practitioners and students, and promote public understanding, involvement, and well-being. Our strategies include:
- Create a network of landscape architects and other professional disciplines (e.g., historic and cultural preservation, environmental planning) involved or interested in the stewardship of visual resources through education, research, administration, public engagement, and practice.
- Share news, case studies, research, publications, legislation, and guidelines to keep members and others informed of advanced technology, best practices, emerging trends, and current issues.
- Collect and preserve contributions to the body of knowledge for visual resource management and related topics.
- Explore and promote best practices related to visual stewardship in the planning, design, and execution of energy, industrial, and transportation facilities; forestry and land management; housing and community development; and other components of the built environment.
- Promote training, conferences, and education opportunities related to visual stewardship for both practitioners and students.
- Encourage members to develop and offer Online Learning presentations, submit proposals for ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture education sessions, submit projects for design awards, and post content through The Field.
- Provide networking opportunities for our members at the Visual Stewardship PPN meeting at the annual ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture.
- Provide assistance as needed to support and inform ASLA programs and policies on issues related to visual / scenic stewardship.
To join the Historic Preservation PPN, please complete this form or contact ASLA Member Services at 888-999-ASLA or membership@asla.org.
To get more involved, either with the Historic Preservation PPN leadership team or with a PPN working group, members may volunteer here.