Landscape Architect Articles

ASLA Advocacy12-07-21 | Feature

ASLA Advocacy

Federal and State advocacy efforts are guided by climate change and resilience, equity and environmental justice.
by

ASLA's director of federal government affairs, Roxanne Blackwell, Hon. ASLA, speaking at ASLA Advocacy Day 2019.

The Camden, South Carolina Lagoon is an abandoned sewage pond redesigned by KBSA - Landscape Architecture and Planning to absorb flooding during harsher weather while providing recreational opportunities in the more favorable times of the year. For this reason, the water level can be controlled through a water pump at the left corner leading into the site along with an agri-drain that determines when the water pump needs to be activated.

The owners of Thompson Lake House in Eagle, Idaho envisioned a family oasis that could be restful and serene, yet open and welcoming and capable of entertaining large gatherings. Stone terraces, planting beds, a large patio, and a recirculating stream cascading back into the lake, adorn the exterior of this 80-acre property in Eagle, Idaho. Cushing Terrell was selected to make the clients' dreams a reality.

An ecologically degraded site in Boston's neighbor of Somerville became a mixed-use development where New Englanders can now enjoy a pedestrian-friendly environment thanks to the creative use of amenity strips, curb extensions, crosswalks with textural changes and paving patterns. Boston's Copley Wolff Design Group played a key role in converting a vacant Ford Motor assembly plant into the Assembly Row community by designing streetscapes, parks and other public spaces to complement various shopping and dining opportunities.

Located on the Gordon River in Naples, Florida on a former landfill site, Landscape Architects with Kimley-Horn transformed this waterfront area into 17 acres of park space featuring playgrounds, picnic areas, an open lawn and trails including a pedestrian bridge over the river.

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https://www.asla.org/governmentaffairs.aspx

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) advocacy efforts are guided by climate change and resilience as well as equity and environmental justice. The list that follows is a collection of the legislation ASLA is currently advocating. All bills are accompanied by a description that is published by ASLA and then edited for space.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS
Economic vitality, homeland security, quality of life, and natural ecosystems all rely on ample, clean water. Landscape architects help communities large and small manage their stormwater with innovative green infrastructure solutions, such as green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, and pervious pavements. ASLA urges policymakers to support strategies that reduce stormwater runoff and improve our nation's water supply.

WATER QUALITY PROTECTION AND JOB CREATION ACT
In addition to the five-year reauthorization, this legislation authorizes up to $20 billion in federal Clean Water State Revolving (CWSRF) grants over those five years. Through CWSRF, states are able to offer communities below-market loans to design, plan, build, or update water infrastructure. Since CWA was implemented, the levels of pollution in our water sources had decreased dramatically, as programs such as CWSRF have made it possible to maintain and update our aging water infrastructure. This current act allocated billions of dollars in direct infrastructure investment over the next five years to address the nation's wastewater infrastructure and water quality issues locally.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT
ASLA supports legislation that will increase resources for and strengthen green infrastructure projects related to water projects such as dams, levees, and stormwater systems. Landscape architects use green infrastructure and low-impact development projects to provide communities tangible, cost-effective solutions to address water management needs. The bill also establishes, within the EPA's Office of the Administrator, an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman to provide technical assistance to municipalities to comply with federal water pollution and safe drinking water laws and to provide information about available federal financial assistance.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND DESIGN
Landscape architects help communities through multi-sue transportation design that accommodates all activity and ability levels.

TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES ENHANCEMENT ACT
This advocates active transportation such as bicycle and pedestrian project while advancing the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Alternatives program. This legislation would increase funding for the TA program to approximately $1.2 billion. The bill would allow local communities greater access to the program by having states utilize 34 percent of their TA funding for the state-run grant program and distributing 66 percent of TA funding to local communities.

PARKS AND RECREATION DESIGN OUTDOORS FOR ALL ACT
This legislation would codify the existing National Park Service administered Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP). Additionally, it would direct 20 percent of the dedicated GOMESA funds to ORLP to address outdoor recreation deficits in urban communities. This legislation would codify the existing National Park Service administered ORLP. Additionally, it would direct 20 percent of the dedicated GOMESA funds to ORLP to address outdoor recreation deficits in urban communities.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provides annual grants that is based on a formula to states, cities, and counties. The program looks to develop viable urban communities by providing housing and a decent living environment by expanding opportunities for low- and moderate-income people.