Appendix Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis – Landscape architects (LA) working in NFM Strength Profession encompasses wide range of specialisms LA skilled at understanding sites and their context Plant knowledge - untested Design/aesthetics knowledge Experience, particularly among experienced members in community/stakeholder facilitation Mixture of cognitive and social skills
Weakness Focus seems to be on urban rather than rural Only a minority 21% see relevant of farming needs and practice and only 13% thing agrienvironment policy is relevant - same for forestry and water management Not enough LAs with experience of working at landscape scale Small professional group – LI only 5,000 members Relevance of climate change to role not universally recognised
Opportunity • Growing awareness that what happens outside the city affects the city • Government and media interest in NFM and holistic flood risk management • Build upon Landscape Character and LVIA experience • Build on legacy of pioneering landscape architects such as Ian McHarg • New LI competency framework prioritises ‘sustainability, climate and resilience’ as universal landscape competency • Natural capital and ecosystem services recognised as a specialist competency by LI
Threat • Other professions and professional bodies are further ahead at understanding and communicating the issues to their members and beyond • Influence lost when LAs are brought into projects at late stage • Increasing focus of new professionals on design and visualisation rather than wider picture • Failure to strengthen scientific and evidence basis for landscape architecture
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