Societal engagement - volunteering in landscape architecture

Abstract

It is characteristic to landscape architecture that is requires an interdisciplinary approach. In addition to science and art, it is closely related to the social domain. In addition to the knowledge on historical and social processes in the landscape, it is therefore necessary to research the needs of the current social milieu, their way of life and their thinking and capacity to act in relation to their environment. Strengthening societal engagement is exactly the field of our dedication and engagement towards protecting the landscape, nature, our garden heritage and the green spaces of our habitat.

It was only after the change of regime in the 1990s that it became possible to set up NGOs, foundations and associations, in other words, nonprofit organisations, many of which have addressed the issues of the human habitat, nature conservation and landscape protection, cultural heritage, ecology, community building and education related to it. Many landscape architects have been involved in this process, either by joining an initiative or by setting up a professional NGO on their own initiative. Being a civil means volunteering for universal and local goals, community, and professional ideals without material interest.

After the change of regime, the need and the necessity to involve social actors appeared also in planning methodology, laying the foundations for collaborative, i.e. cooperative, planning. Grassroots strategies and resulting processes have replaced the centralised governing system. It became possible to ask what the landscape, the place, and the local individual and community require.
Although not exhaustive, we will present initiatives that have been and are being taken with the activity and participation of landscape architects, thus broadening the public awareness and recognition of landscape architecture.
Our NGOs and initiatives aim to give landscape architecture its deserved place in public thinking and public life.