INTRODUCTION This systemic literature review examines whether there is a potential role for landscape architects in natural flood management (NFM). There are two reasons for asking the question: •
the growing profile of and interest in NFM, and the work opportunity presented
•
to use a framework (NFM) to examine the skills of the landscape architecture profession.
There are already published literature reviews on NFM and assessments of the evidence. For instance, the Environment Agency has produced a literature review of over 300 pages (Ngai et al., 2017). However, this dissertation looks at NFM from a particular perspective, that of landscape architects, with the aim of determining whether landscape architects have the skills and knowledge to lead or make a valuable contribution to NFM projects.
Three steps have been taken to answer the question: 1. a review of the science supporting NFM, focussing on the use of woodlands 2. an exploration of social, cultural and economic barriers to NFM 3. a review of the skills of landscape architects.
Following these steps, it has been possible to describe the skills needed to make a meaningful contribution to NFM projects and take a view on whether landscape architects have those skills.
Why use NFM as a framework for examining the skills of landscape architects? The Landscape Institute (LI), the professional body for landscape architects in the UK, as part of its strategy for 2018-2023 wants to be a body that:
‘Develops the skills, knowledge and behaviours of its members to help them create a sustainable future which is responsive to such challenges as demographic shifts and climate change.’ (Allman Horrocks Consulting, 2018) 4
