Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This is a thesis written at the Swedish University of Agriculture in
Alnarp within the landscape architecture education. The essay deals
with the landscape architect's professional identity and how it is
described in different contexts along with how it is perceived by
professional landscape architects.
Misunderstandings and preconceptions concerning the landscape
architect's professional identity is common, both within and outside
the branch of industry that includes the vocation. This raises problems
within the industry and for the individual landscape architect. To find
out if the root of the problems lies in available descriptions of the
occupation a study has been made. The study includes how the
landscape architect is defined in easily accessible information from
the internet and in literature as well as in industry-oriented
information such as dissertations and information from Sveriges
Arkitekter (the Swedish Architects). Interviews with professional
landscape architects created a comparative material to what is written.
The written information was compared with the professional’s selfimage.
The conclusion of the study is that the written information is
quite similar to the image that the respondents landscape architects
have of their profession. The problem is not primarily based in the
image given in print but in the communication within the branch of
industry. The type of information that has been studied could be
developed to ease communication between landscape architects and
the other professionals in the future.