Charting A New Course: The Role of Landscape Architecture in Nigeria

Landscape Architecture emerges as a vibrant thread, distinct in its purpose and profound in its impact on the tapestry of architectural disciplines.

Landscape Architecture is not just a profession; it’s a commitment to enhancing lives through responsible environmental stewardship.

In this article, we delve deep into Landscape Architecture, highlighting its remarkable differences from Building Architecture and emphasising the imperative need for recognition.

The story begins with ARCON, the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, which has diligently overseen building architecture for six decades.

While ARCON focuses on the built environment, Landscape Architecture’s domain extends far beyond.

It encompasses the intricate dance of nature and human interaction, addressing critical environmental challenges that transcend brick and mortar.

At the Society of Landscape Architects in Nigeria (SLAN), we tackle the forces of nature head-on, crafting strategies to combat environmental crises while promoting tourism, recreation, and landform modification for the benefit of society.

What sets Landscape Architecture apart is its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

Nigeria, like many nations, grapples with climate change, coastal erosion, desert encroachment, flooding, and the loss of biodiversity.

Landscape Architects stand at the forefront of combating these issues, reshaping the natural world to create resilient and sustainable environments.

Moreover, the recent call for the regulation of Landscape Architecture practice in Nigeria resonates with the nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Recognising this profession by an act of parliament regulation aligns seamlessly with the administration’s aspirations.

It is an acknowledgement of the vital role Landscape Architects play in preserving our environment, preventing urban heat islands, and fostering resilience.

The regulation of Landscape Architecture practice in Nigeria will lead to the accelerated achievement of improving the lives of Nigerians via the administration’s new HOPE agenda.

But what distinguishes Landscape Architects even further is their diverse background. Unlike Building Architects, Landscape Architects often hail from disciplines like Geography, Town Planning, Horticulture, Botany, and more. For years, these professionals had no regulatory body to shelter them until now.

We are proud members of the International Federation of Landscape Architects, and we are forging a path towards a regulated and recognised practice in Nigeria.

The question remains, should ARCON regulate Landscape Architecture as it does with Building Architecture?

While ARCON originally excluded Landscape Architecture in the 1969 decree and 2004 Act as amended

Despite the initial exclusion of landscape architecture from the 1969 decree and the 2004 Act as amended by ARCON, this has significantly restricted ARCON from overseeing landscape architecture practice in Nigeria.

This limitation underscores the need for a dedicated body like SLARCON. Given the substantial distinctions in the profession’s scope, from course content to its environmental sphere of operation, it addresses multidimensional challenges.

SLARCON does not seek to replicate the functions of ARCON; they are parallel professions with complementary roles just like other professional bodies in the built environment.

Integration of landscape architects into the ARCON Act is not feasible due to the multidisciplinary nature of the landscape profession.

Landscape Architecture stands as a unique and essential discipline in Nigeria, with the power to transform our environment, address pressing issues, and improve the lives of its citizens.

It’s time to recognise, regulate, and support this noble profession as it paves the way toward a more sustainable and vibrant future for our nation.

Amos Alao
President of the Society of Landscape Architects in Nigeria (SLAN)
Writes from Lagos