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LASN Predicts... | 25
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LASN Predicts...
Water quality issues and wetland/riparian design will move to the forefront of design issues in leaps and bounds. Landscape Architects will be instrumental in the design of environments like the pictured Chastain Nature Preserve. Landscape Architecture is poised to become the profession of necessity... if Landscape Architects can educate the public and perform the highest quality work, as illustrated by this restored ecosystem at the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center.

Quality landscape design will keep the residential market thriving into the new millennium, fostering respect for smaller developers and for the profession of Landscape Architecture. TEA-21means thousands of government-funded design and construction projects in the transportation market. Landscape Architects will be poised to take advantage of this funding, and lead projects like the expansion of Portland's "MAX" transportation system.

As stewards of the land, Landscape Architects may be poised to become stewards of Mother Earth as well. Practitioners have an opportunity to begin addressing the issue of global warming. Glaciers are melting in Alaska; warmer waters are starving bird populations. As conservation-oriented professionals, Landscape Architects can make a difference all over the nation.
 Recreation will continue to expand more than any other service. Requirement of knowledge of technical issues, including ASTM material requirements, CPSC safety recommendations, and Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines will enable Landscape Architects to lead park and recreation design teams across the nation.

Land Stewardship
There is a growing need for Landscape Architects to be involved in erosion and sedimentation control planning, wetland mitigation and water quality issues. Expertise in bioengineering, water filtration, soil stabilization technology, and wetland/riparian design will grow in demand. In addition, Landscape Architects will build coalitions and networks to become major players in compliance with waste disposal procedures and water quality protection and preservation issues across the nation.
 
Tax Cuts
Prospects for tax cuts are looking bright since Congress came to a close. The Grand Old Party has loaded an $80 billion bill with "goodies" for business owners and middle-income families to quiet complaints about using budget surplus funds. Look for a larger health insurance deduction for self-employed professionals is likely.
 
Fair Bids
Market research indicates that minority-owned businesses will receive around a 10% preference on certain bids in industries where they perhaps have not gotten a fair share in the past, including transportation, design, communications and construction.
 
REIT Trusts
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (the transfer of privately held real estate into the portfolios of public traders) will offer high dividends and an opportunity for growth. Developers interested in establishing and restoring Central Business Districts downtown will take advantage of REIT funding across the nation. This in turn leads to downtown revitalization projects for Landscape Architects.
 
Necessity Profession
Landscape Architecture will become recognized as the 'necessity profession' to ensure a project's true success. As clients become more concerned with 'green solutions,' environmental aesthetics and a project's highest value versus lowest cost, Landscape Architects will lead projects historically dominated by the engineering fields. Projects such as planned communities, transportation corridors, and traditional town planning will demand such services.
 
Recruiting Savvy
Landscape Architects will need to address the recruitment of new people into the profession. Interviews with practitioners across the nation indicate a concern over "not enough new blood" coming into the profession. RLA's need to work with the colleges and universities, and actively recruit new practitioners in order to perpetuate the profession. After all, "strength in numbers!"
 
Global Positioning
A boom in global positioning systems and computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) over the next several years-- while prices come down and more applications are developed-- will benefit Landscape Architects. GIS services will greatly benefit those involved with large scale land planning, recreation, golf courses, campuses, and greenways.
 
Design/Build
Approximately 47% of LASN readers indicate they offer Design/Build services. More and more landscape architectural firms are providing landscape construction in-house, to simplify the bidding process and offer the client "one-stop shopping." Look for this number to grow!
 
General Prosperity
General prosperity in most regions should be strong for Landscape Architects in general. The construction outlook is positive, and competition among design firms is strong. Price-conscious clients are looking for value-- and Landscape Architects offer the well-rounded skills needed to deliver efficiently.
 
Residential Design
As the residential market continues to thrive, small home builders will "squeeze" into the competition by building homes that are unique and of good quality. Innovations in energy efficient systems and quality landscape design will bolster the smaller developers and will continue to attract homebuyers across the nation. Landscape Architects need to secure their role in track home development, addressing the need to adapt quality plant materials, lighting and hardscape into small yet dynamic home lots.
 
Census 2000
The new millennium promises many opportunities for Landscape Architects, including the Census 2000. Not only will planners have access to updated population and demographic information, but the new information collected will form the basis for federal, state and local appropriations. Whether the states are guided by Democratic or Republican leaders, the new appropriations will present new funding opportunities for Landscape Architects.
 
Road Rewards
With the recent passage of TEA-21, federal funding for transportation projects-- including landscape enhancements-- has never been more available. Landscape Architects should take advantage of this funding, and seize the opportunity to prove the value of the profession to Departments of Transportation across the nation. Road and bridge construction will be one of the fastest growing industries of the next decade.
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