1. Professional Practice Flashcards
How does copyright affect you as a Landscape Architect?
Your work is protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. This gives you exclusive right to copy, adapt, communicate, lend or sell copies of the work. When working for a company, this right is held by the company.
This also applies to work we use such as mapping from Emapsite - you should only use information that we have the right to use.
As a Landscape Architect, what ethics should you follow?
You should follow the LIs Code of Practice, always act with a duty of care, to clients and end users, and be professional.
As outlined in the Royal Charter, we also have a responsibility to the environment and planet.
We should act with integrity, honesty and to the best of our ability in order to best serve the client, profession, LI, public and the environment. We should strive to minimise our environmental impact.
How does being a Landscape Architect affect your personal life?
I try to follow the LI Codes of Practice and ambitions in my personal life as well as professional. This includes keeping personal finances in order - this is particularly important for managers as they are responsible for the finances of a company as well. Also act with integrity and avoid being derogatory about other professionals.
What is the difference between the LI Royal Charter and the Code of Practice?
The Royal Charter sets out the objectives of the LI, protects the title of CMLI and requires the government to consult the LI on landscape topics.
The Code of Practice sets out the ways in which members of the LI must act and maintain a standard of work and professionalism.
When was the LI founded and how is it structured?
The LI was founded in 1929 and is the professional body for the landscape profession in the UK. Technically it is a professional organisation and educational charity that promotes the art and science of landscape practices. It is run by staff, such as the CEO, those looking after events and memberships, governed by a Board of Trustees, an Advisory Council and three Standing Committees.
What is the LI’s Board of Trustees?
The Board of Trustees is made up of several members and has legal responsibility for the LI. They meet five times a year and consist of:
* 5 honorary officers (elected by LI members) - these include the President, Vice President, Honorary Treasurer, Secretary and Past President and President Elect.
* Chair of each of the LIs Standing Committees
* Four trustees selected by the board depending on the skills required.
* One non chartered board trustee
What is the LIs Advisory Council?
The Advisory Council represents members and helps set the objectives of the LI. It has 30 members which include:
* 5 Honorary Officers
* 3 Standing Committee Reps
* 12 Branch Reps
* 1 Corporate Member
* 2 Associate Members
* 1 Student Member
They meet up to three times a year.
What are the LIs Standing Committees?
The three Standing Committees advise on and help implement the main areas of the LIs activity. They cover three areas of Education and Membership, Policy and Communications, and Technical.
Each committee chair sits on the LIS Board of Trustees and each committee also has a representative to the advisory council.
Various subcommittees and working groups lead on specialised areas of work, such as publishing technical notes.
What terms do you agree to when becoming a member of the LI?
You agree to the terms of the Royal Charter, by laws and the Code of Practice. Essentially you have to act in accordance with these rules and policies and represent the institute and the profession with integrity.
What is a professional?
This is someone who offers a:
* Competent and honest service
* Based upon skilled intellectual technique
* and an agreed Code of Practice
To be professional is to be the best you can at your job, good at listening to the brief and the client, acting in the best interests of your client, and being knowledgable in your chosen profession. This professional competence is often assured by chartered membership of a body such as the LI.
What is the Code of Practice?
The Code of Practice sets out the professional standards which a landscape architect must follow in their everyday life.
What are the three overarching themes of the Code of Practice?
- Promoting professional attitudes
- Promoting professional competence
- Promoting trust in professional relationships
What are the implications of the Royal Charter?
The Royal Charter protects the CMLI title and also means that only practices registered with the LI can describe their practice as ‘Chartered Landscape Architect’.
It also requires the government to consult the LI on any landscape related matters, such as new or updated policy like the NPPF. It also sets out several objectives that Landscape Architects have to meet.
What are the objectives of the Royal Charter?
The objectives of the Royal Charter are:
* To protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for hte public benefit.
* To encourage research, education and knowledge relating to Landscape Architecture,
* To establish, uphold and advance the standards of education, qualification, competence and conduct of those who practice Landscape Architecture
* To determine standards and criteria for education, training and experience
What obligations of a Landscape Architect exist beyond the UK?
As Landscape Architects in a wider global community, we should follow the policy and guidance from international bodies and policy such as European Landscape Convention (Florence 2006), IFLA and IFLA Europe.
How many hours of CPD should you complete each year, and why?
You must complete 25hrs of CPD as a member of the LI. The only members exempt are affiliate, retired, student and P2C members.
The 25 hours of CPD is formed of 10 hours formal, 5 hours related to climate/sustainability/resilience/environment and BNG.
CPD is a commitment to maintain their professional competence, knowledge and relevance in a challenging and fast paced environment.
What is the Landscape Consultants Appointment?
This is an official document that advises consultants and their clients on the process of landscape services, and the standard of these services.
The Landscape Consultants Appointment mentions ‘duty of care’, what does this mean?
The landscape consultants appointment states how landscape architects must act in regard to a duty of care. They must act with a reasonable due diligence, skill and care in all their services, in accordance with the standards of the profession.
What are the responsibilities and obligations of a landscape architect?
Being a skilled and professional person
Acting as a reasonable agent
Acting as a quasi-arbitrator/arbiter
A quasi-arbitrator is someone that administers the conduct of the contract between two parties (i.e. the client and contractor).
What moral obligations do landscape architects have in their professional lives?
Landscape architects have a moral obligation to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the benefit of the public as set out in the Royal Charter.
We also have an obligation to provide a duty of care to our cleint, staff and the profession as well as the environment.
The Code of Practice also has a statement specific to sustainability and professionally we have a key role to play in mitigating climate change.
How would you react if your client asked you to undertake a project which was environmentally sensitive?
We are bound professionally to our Code of Practise and morally I would be unable to take on this work. I would explain why and perhaps offer ways in which the project could be made more sustainable and reduce its environmental impact.
Who is your duty to as a professional?
We have a duty to our clients, the public (including future users) and end users of our design and the environment.
As set out in the Code of Practise we also have a duty to the LI and the profession, to uphold its reputation, promote the profession and support others within the profession.
Why have a Code of Practise?
It ensures certain quality of professionalism and work within the industry. The Code of Practise exists to protect clients, the public and the profession and maintain the status of the profession. It is a guide to ensure high quality, honest and efficient service to the clients of the profession and to advance and promote the profession.
List the Codes of Practise…
- Sustainability - Deliver landscape services that promote sustainability and the responsible use of resources
- Equality - Deliver services in a manner consistent with equity, diversity and inclusion
- Reputation - Uphold the reputation and dignity of the LI and the profession
- Management & Fees - Ensure your business is managed properly and in accordance with relevant legal requirements
- Insurance - Have the appropriate insurances, including Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Competency - Deliver Only services you are competent to complete
- CPD
- Quality - Deliver the safest, highest quality landscape services, consistent with professional obligations, in the public interest and in accordance with legal requirements
- Complaints - Ensure an appropriate process to deal promptly with complaints
- Conflicts - Avoid conflicts of interest where possible and ensure they are declared and managed when they arise.
- Integrity - Act with integrity with clients, the public, the LI and other professionals.
What are the advantages of employing a professionally qualified CMLI?
It provides the client with an assurance of professionalism, that the work will be carried out to the best of their ability, honesty and integrity and in the clients best interests.
It protects the client and landscape architect and the public from poor quality work and professionalism.
Can you tell me the importance of working with other disciplines?
The Code of Practise states that we must not undertake work we are not competent to do. So we must work alongside other consultants within the wider design team or appoint sub-consultants. This is key to a successful scheme and good communication is essential.
Example - Brooklands, rain gardens, woonerf principle - this required coordination and expertise of highway engineers.
Other consultants could be trees, drainage, highways, ecology, planners, heritage etc.
You find yourself a commission but it covers work you are not qualified for. How would you advise the client?
As set out in the Code, you wouldn’t be able to take on the work. It you are a multi disciplinary company, you may redirect the work under the same contract. You may also be able to subcontract out, if the professional relationship and practicalities allow. If not, I would make a recommendation to the client of any external consultants that might be appropriate.
What is CPD?
CPD is continuing professional development. It is a commitment to lifelong learning, an ongoing process of frequently improving skills and competencies to enhance workplace performance and future career prospects.
Is there anything in the Code of Practise that constrains the work you do?
Ethics, contracts, conflicts of interest, insurance, poaching of work
What is the aim of the European Landscape Convention (Florence, 2006)?
This is an international treaty dedicated to the protection, management and planning of all landscapes in Europe, It organises European cooperation on landscape issues and provides guidance for international, national, regional and local policy and management.
It is ratified by 40 member states and promotes public awareness and participation. It is based on the assumption that landscape is a key element of individual and social well being everywhere, an essential part of human surroundings and their quality of life.
How do recent changes to the NPPF affect the work you do?
