September21,2013 ElianaAzevedo PresidentedaCRPP ComissodeRegulamentao daProfissodePaisagista ANPAssocNacPaisagismo DearMs.Azevedo: ThankyoufortheopportunitytoprovidetheBrazilianParliamentwithsomeadditionalinformationasit considersthepossibilyofregulatinglandscapearchitecture. Landscapearchitectureiscurrentlyregulatedin50U.S.states,threeCanadianprovincesandPuerto Ricowithacommongoalofprotectingandpromotingthepublicshealth,safetyandwelfare.The CouncilofLandscapeArchitecturalRegistrationBoards(CLARB)supportsregulationbyrigorously assessingprospectivelicenseesforcorecompetence,supportingandfacilitatingreasonableand efficientmobility,andfacilitatingcommunicationandlearningwithintheregulatorycommunity.

ity. Reflectingon40yearsofexperiencesupportingregulationoflandscapearchitectsinNorthAmerica,we believethatthepublic,theenvironment,andtheprofessionbenefitthroughtheestablishmentand maintenanceofstandardsofcompetenceandthatprofessionallicensure/registrationrepresentsthe optimalmeansofassuringthatourpublicandprivateoutdoorspacesaresafe,accessible,and functional. Landscapearchitectsarehighlytraineddesignprofessionalswhosebackgroundsequipthemtopractice inareasofgreatenvironmental,cultural,andeconomicsensitivity.Regulationthatestablishesand enforcesstandardsofcompetencyfornewentrantsintotheprofessionhelpstoensurethattheycan adequatelyprotectandadvancethepublicshealthandsafetyandgeneralwellbeingthroughpractice. TypicallylandscapearchitectsregisteredinNorthAmericahavecompletedapreprofessionalprogram ofstudythatisinformedbyaunique,researchandexperiencebasedbodyofknowledgeatan accrediteduniversity,attainedadequateprofessionalexperience,andpassedarigorous,uniform, evidencebasedprofessionalexamthatisdevelopedandadministeredbasedoninternationalbest practicesinprofessionallicensure.Thesestandardsarecomparabletootherlicenseddesign professions,suchasengineeringandarchitecture,allofwhicharerecognizedasdistinctandseparate professionsbylaw. Itisourbeliefthattheinterestsofpublic,environment,andprofessionarebestservedwhenlandscape architectureisrecognizedandregulatedasadistinctandseparateprofessionfromarchitecture, engineering,urbanplanningandotherrelateddisciplines.Wewouldofferthreepointsinsupportof thisperspective.

1840MichaelFaradayDrive Suite200 Reston,VirginiaUSA20190 5714320332 www.clarb.org

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Point#1:Theprofessionsownscientificstudyofthecriticalknowledge,skillsandabilities(jobtask analysis)requiredtoindependentlypracticerevealdiscrete,corecompetencies. Forexample,theLandscapeArchitectRegistrationExam,developedandadministeredbyCLARB, objectivelyanddefensiblyevaluatesaprospectivelicenseesknowledge,skills,andabilitiesasthey relatetoprotectingandadvancingthepublicshealth,safetyandwellbeing,thestandardforNorth Americanlicensure.Attachedisasummaryoftheuniquesetoftasksthatareregularlyperformedbya landscapearchitectanddirectlyimpactthepublicshealth,safety,andwelfare.Thisdatainformsthe licenseeseducation,examinationandexperienceandwebelieveitunderscorestheprofessionsdistinct bodyofknowledgeandtheneedtoprovideaformaleducationalpathwaythatpreparesthelandscape architectforprofessionalpractice. Point#2:NorthAmericanlicensurelawsrecognizethecritical,demonstrabledifferencesbetween landscapearchitectureandotherrelateddisciplines. TheCLARBModelLaw(attached)defineslandscapearchitectureinthefollowingway: The practice of Landscape Architecture applies the principles of mathematical, physical and social sciences in consultation, evaluation, planning, design (including, but not limited to, the preparation and filing of plans, drawings, specifications and other contract documents) and administration of contractsrelativetoprojectsprincipallydirectedatthefunctionalandaestheticuseandpreservation ofland. Theseservicesinclude,butarenotlimitedto: 1. Investigation,selectionandallocationoflandandwaterresourcesforappropriateuses; 2. Formulation of feasibility studies, and graphic and written criteria to govern the planning, designandmanagementoflandandwaterresources; 3. Preparation, review and analysis of land use master plans, subdivision plans and preliminaryplats; 4. Determining the location and siting of improvements, including buildings and other features,aswellastheaccessandenvironsforthoseimprovements; 5. Design of land forms, storm water drainage, soil conservation and erosion control methods, site lighting, water features, irrigation systems, plantings, pedestrian and vehicularcirculationsystemsandrelatedconstructiondetails. Point#3:Complimentarystandardsforlicensure/registrationfosterprofessionalmobility,theexchange ofnewideas,andeconomicdevelopment. Weareseeingincreasedacademicandprofessionalmobilityworldwideandareengagedina conversationwithnationsaroundtheworld,throughtheInternationalFederationofLandscape Architects,aboutthepotentialbenefitsofaglobalstandardforpeople,planetandtheprofession.

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Thereisevidencetosuggestthatabroadlycredibleandrelevanteducationalexperiencewillincrease theopportunitiesforBrazilianlandscapearchitectstopracticeandprovideastandardforforeign professionalsworkinginyourcountry.InNorthAmerica,forexample,landscapearchitectswhohavean accrediteddegreeinlandscapearchitecturearewellpreparedtotaketheuniformlicensureexamand licenseeshavetheabilitytoworkinotherjurisdictionswithrelativeease. Inclosingwebelievethatlandscapearchitectureshouldberegulatedasaseparateanddistinct professionand,accordingly,theformalpreparationforregistrationshouldincludeaneducational experiencethatrecognizestheunique,complex,andimpactfullnatureofprofessionalpracticeonthe livingworld. ThankyoufortheopportunitytoprovidesomeadditionalinsightstoinformtheBrazilianParliaments importantdiscussionsanddeliberationsontheregulationoflandscapearchitecture.Pleaseletusknow ifwecanbeoffurtherassistance. Sincerely,

DennisE.Bryers,PLA,FASLA JoelAlbizo,FASAE,CAE President ExecutiveDirector cc:StephanieLandregan,FASLA,FASLA,LEEDAP,Presidentelect