CSLA-AAPC Congress 2010

Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta is situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The river valley land is considered the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America; it’s where we play… over 100 km. of multi-use trails are in use during all seasons connecting parks, residential neighbourhoods, recreational facilities and city services. Come and see how we enjoy it, protect it, and help us debate its future use… Read More.

Downtown Edmonton sits on the north bank of this deep valley. It is highlighted by some significant historic resources; the Provincial Legislature, a striking Beaux-Arts building and the MacDonald Hotel, a building very much of the elegant chateau-style architecture which are sprinkled across Canada. Then look for the pyramids; first you may be intrigued by the Muttart Conservatory, a group of four glass pyramids featuring 700 species of exotic plantings or you may be attracted by other glass pyramids, our unique City Hall. Inside its city room you will feel the positive vibes of this wonderful community space. Across the street, our new Art Gallery of Alberta has recently opened its doors for you to explore and enjoy. Check out its swooping lines, brutalist roots and its relationship to our renovated civic square. Two blocks south to our main street, Jasper Avenue is currently the focus of a major urban design plan in an effort to determine what our signature street should be and what it should look like. You will get acquainted with our urban environment and debate the good and bad.

The town within the city, Old Strathcona will be the focus of much activity during the congress. It is the site of Edmonton’s Fringe Theatre Festival, second only in size to one in Edinburgh Scotland, and the streets will be in full production! Theatre troupes from all over the world debut their best new work in our festival every August; it’s just a fun place to be!

For more information on Edmonton, visit www.edmonton.com or Images Edmonton.

The rate and extent of transformation of urban and rural landscapes is unparalleled in human history. Land use intensification, rapid urbanization, energy and mineral extraction, agriculture, forestry, transportation development, as well as tourism and recreation demands are challenging the function and identity of landscapes the world over. In many areas, change has brought about critically important improvements in human well-being. In others however, the results are both negative and… Read More irrevocable.

The profession of landscape architecture with its paired emphasis on both conservation and development has always promoted its relevance to the issues related to evolving landscapes. The need for appropriate design and planning is well documented and the profession has, for decades, made its case through both example and discourse. The professional understanding of cultural needs and natural processes has lead to solutions that are ecologically responsive and socially relevant. Landscape architects have executed projects that provide art, inspiration, as well as economic and ecological functionality. The profession’s body of theory, research and practice provides much needed examples of successful interventions to many of the critical issues of the day.

This conference is about the implications of time and change to both landscapes and the profession. Now, more than ever, there is a need to address urgent social, economic and environmental issues. In the face of rapid change, time has not always been on our side. The conference will bring together practitioners and theorists to consider ways of providing new processes and solutions to today’s design and planning issues. It will address the parallel questions of what to do and how to implement those solutions. Our profession is in need of critical thinking, intellectual infusion and recognition. Landscape architecture needs to move beyond self-reflection to gain real influence. Solutions are needed now and we need to act. It’s time.