During the summer of 2019, the Landscape Architecture Foundation conducted two surveys focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the discipline of landscape architecture. According to the organization, 49 firms participated in the organizational survey which focused on policies and organizational commitments related to diversity. The data was analyzed to produce a short document with summary findings.

Among the key takeaways:

 
• Landscape architects and firms overwhelmingly value DEI but note that additional resources are needed.
• The discipline of landscape architecture as a whole should work toward building trust with women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities in our ranks.
• People may feel comfortable sharing their whole identity in their workplace, but not when working with certain clients or in specific regions. Firms should ensure there is an open dialogue on issues that may come up in these situations.
• There appears to be barriers to licensure for designers of color. The discipline should work to identify underlying causes and develop resources to promote accessibility.

Capacity organizations within landscape architecture began a collective effort to address diversity within the discipline in 2015, according to the press release. LAF, along with the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Bureau, and the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards signed onto a joint statement that set bold goals for achieving demographic diversity among landscape architects.

While these organizations' efforts have made some progress in moving the conversation forward on DEI, LAF's 2019 DEI surveys revealed there remains more work to be done. Firm and individual respondents each cited ways in which their offices are making strides and flagged opportunities for growth within their organizations and landscape architecture as a whole.

Landscape architecture is not the only design discipline reckoning with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Planning Association have all made public statements and put programmatic resources behind efforts to increase diversity and promote equity and inclusion within their ranks.

To view LAF's complete survey findings: https://tinyurl.com/vgcln5a.