ASLA statement on Black Lives Matter movement — LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AOTEAROA

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has weighed into the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the world.

Aside from issuing a statement on the fight for racial justice, the group has also commented on the important role public spaces play in such movements, while acknowledging the planning and design of the built environment has often had an adverse impact on black communities.

“Public spaces have always been a critically important platform for the protest movement and democratic change. They have also become sites of violent confrontation and oppression against the black community. It is important that ASLA and others amplify the black narrative of these spaces,” says the ASLA statement.

This photo is from the Washington DC Mayor’s instagram feed. Muriel Bowser had the words painted on the plaza in front of the White House. Google maps is now recognising the name.

ASLA says it issued its statement after hearing feedback from its membership and after undergoing much reflection.

Here is the statement;

“The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) joins millions of people around the world in mourning the death of George Floyd.

ASLA recognises that the brutal systems of slavery and Jim Crowism have dehumanized black people and weakened their communities.

We also acknowledge that the planning and design of the built environment, including landscape architecture, has often had a disproportionate adverse impact on black communities.

Systemic racism in the built environment has taken many forms, including redlining, urban renewal, and disinvestment. Environmental injustices, including lack of equitable access to clean air and water and greater concentrations of pollution, continue to plague these communities.

Further, gentrification and displacement make it impossible for black communities to continue to exist. The landscape architecture profession can play a critical role in reversing these trends.

Public spaces have always been a critically important platform for the protest movement and democratic change. They have also become sites of violent confrontation and oppression against the black community. It is important that ASLA and others amplify the black narrative of these spaces.

ASLA stands in solidarity with black communities in the fight against racial injustice and police violence against black people. Moving forward, ASLA will deepen our partnership with the Black Landscape Architects Network (BlackLAN) to create a meaningful, sustainable plan of action to help guide the profession in addressing the wants and needs of black communities—no matter how much work and time it takes. Black Lives Matter.”