Vad gör egentligen en landskapsarkitekt? : en studie av hur yrkesrollen framställs och upplevs

Abstract: This is a thesis written at the Swedish University of Agriculture inAlnarp within the landscape architecture education. The essay dealswith the landscape architect's professional identity and how it isdescribed in different contexts along with how it is perceived byprofessional landscape architects.Misunderstandings and preconceptions concerning the landscapearchitect's professional identity is common, both within and outsidethe branch of industry that includes the vocation. This raises problemswithin the industry and for the individual landscape architect. To findout if the root of the problems lies in available descriptions of theoccupation a study has been made. The study includes how thelandscape architect is defined in easily accessible information fromthe internet and in literature as well as in industry-orientedinformation such as dissertations and information from SverigesArkitekter (the Swedish Architects). Interviews with professionallandscape architects created a comparative material to what is written.The written information was compared with the professional’s selfimage.The conclusion of the study is that the written information isquite similar to the image that the respondents landscape architectshave of their profession. The problem is not primarily based in theimage given in print but in the communication within the branch ofindustry. The type of information that has been studied could bedeveloped to ease communication between landscape architects andthe other professionals in the future.