Assessing the Impact of Computer Use on Landscape Architecture Professional Practice: Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Design Creativity

Abstract

Many landscape architects claim that computers are efficient and effective presentation tools. However, to date, no one has evaluated the impact of computer use on the nature and quality of the design process in a practice setting. To further explore this issue, a survey was conducted in 2000 of over 100 Chapter Executive Members of the American Society of Landscape Architects in the United States of America. Survey results indicated that computer use has permeated all areas of landscape architecture practice, and that it has genuinely improved drawing presentation quality and capability. However, it was not perceived to have significantly impacted the artistic or creative aspects of design practice. Few respondents believed the computer can improve these aspects of the profession or that traditional practice methods will be totally replaced by the computer. Nonetheless, the results suggest that academic and professional sectors of landscape architecture must help educate existing professionals to fully grasp the benefits of current and emerging computer technologies and to prepare the future professionals for an increasingly digital practice.