Open Letter to ABAP Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects, their associates and affiliates.

The alterations in the bylaws that the Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects (ABAP) will be discussing in an Extraordinary General Meeting on September 5th in Curitiba, deeply modify the purposes to which ABAP has been created, as well as the profile of its associates. Among the changes proposed, two are central: - The first item of the 4th Article, the new bylaws excludes from the list of ABAPs purposes the commitment to stimulate and promote the formation and perfecting of the profession of Landcape Architecture, leaving now to this associations competence only the tasks of advertising, valuing and perfecting Landscape Architecture as an instrument at the service of the public welfare. - In the 5th Article, in respect to its group of associates, this is supposed to be constituted no more of landscape architects and those architects who are, for their professional experience or post-graduation formation, judged in their own ability, competence and character, considered as such. From the establishment of the new bylaws on, only Architects and Town Planners are to be accepted in the Association, with no explicit mention to any type of verification of experience in this field, and, with the exclusion, which is to be highlighted in here, of the professionals who have been properly graduated in Landscape Architecture.1 In short, the alterations in the ABAP bylaws eliminate the recognition of the autonomy of Landscape Architecture as a field of knowledge, and therefore, remove the figure of the Landscape Architect. The document itself suggests changing the name of ABAP: instead of Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects, it comes as Brazilian Association of Landscape Architecture. Apparently, from the approval of the new bylaws on, ABAP should be instituted as an association of architects and town planners, committed to maintaining the attributions of Landscape Architecture as prerogatives of architects and town planners only. These alterations in the bylaws are to consolidate the attitudes that ABAP has been assuming in the debate on Landscape Architecture in Brazil in the last few years.
1

Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects bylaws. Available at http://www.abap.org.br/estatutos.htm. The new bylaws have been sent to the associates, but it is not yet available in the Internet.

More specifically, I mean the contrary position to the creation of the formation in Landscape Architecture as covered by Deputy Ricardo Izars 2043/2011 bill 2, which regulates the profession of the Landscape Architect. The 2043/2011 bill has been ruthlessly attacked by other instances of representation of Brazilian Architects, such as the National Federation of Architects and Town Planners (FNA), Architecture and Town Planning Council of So Paulo (CAU/SP), Collegiate of the Architecture and Town Planning Entities (CEAU) (former Brazilian College of Architect, CBA), and Architects Institute of Brazil (IAB). In this context, it is significant that the arguments of these institutions are, in a nutshell, the same as exposed by ABAP in the Manifesto against the 2043/2011 Bill 3, for this Association has since its foundation been an important headquarters for the Brazilian landscape architects, and a representative in Brazil of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)4, with lengthy history of contribution in the

Bill number 2043/2011, which Regulates the profession of Landscape Designer and provides others measures. Chamber of Deputies. -Original text by Deputy Ricardo Izar (2011) available at:

http://www.camara.gov.br/proposicoesWeb/prop_mostrarintegra?codteor=909564&filename =PL+2043/2011;
-Substitute text, proposed by Dep. Flvia Moraes, from the Labor, Administration, and Public Service Commission of the Chamber of Deputies (2012) available at:

http://www.camara.gov.br/proposicoesWeb/prop_mostrarintegra?codteor=990587&filename =PRL+1+CTASP+%3D%3E+PL+2043/2011;
- Amendments proposed by Dep. Stepan Necerssian, from the Education Commission of the Chamber of Deputies (2013) available at:

http://www.camara.gov.br/proposicoesWeb/prop_mostrarintegra?codteor=1087754&filenam e=EMR+1+CE+%3D%3E+PL+2043/2011.
Documents mentioned: - ABAP. Manifesto Against the 2043/2011 Bill, 2012. Available at: http://www.abap.org.br/pdfs/MANIFESTO%202012%20CONTRA%20O%20PL-2043.pdf; - CBA. Argumentationfor the Rejection of the2043/2011 Bill. November 11th 2011. Available at: http://helenadegreas.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/argumentacao-pela-rejeicao-do-pl20432011/#comment-166; On March 16th 2012, already as a CEAU, this institution issued a second letter in which the argumentation does not differ from, in its core, that of CAU/SP mentioned here. - CAU/SP. CAU/SP Manifestation on the Bill N2043/2011. CAU/SP. May 7th 2012. Available at: http://novo.causp.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/4-MANIFESTACAO-PL-PAISAGISMO-CAU-SP-0705-2012.pdf. IFLA is the main organization of landscape architects in an international level, of which the most important institutions connected to Landscape Architecture in each country are members. An example is the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
4 3

development of Landscape Architecture in Brazil, and a commitment to the independence of the formation in Landscape Architecture. In face of this imminent and decisive change in the purposes of ABAP, and in spite of the merits of the 2043/2011 Bill, it is vital that the members of this Association reflect on the alterations proposed in the bylaws and on the content of the arguments ABAP has been exposing against the 2043/2011 Bill. That is, it is not about discussing here the agreement or disagreement in relation to a determined bill, it is about trying to understand the arguments, motivations and implications of what ABAP has been defending for the future of Landscape Architecture in Brazil. In this sense, as an ABAP associate, I would like to expose some considerations on this subject from the point of view of the debate that has been mobilizing ABAP, CEAU and CAU/SP into condemning the 2043/2011 Bill.

***

The first paragraphs of the ABAP manifesto against the 2043/2011 Bill condemn the creation of a graduation course in Landscape Architecture in Brazil. The argument presented is that the professional attributions connected to Landscape Architecture are already, and since 1933, part of the profession of architect and town planner (Law number 23.569/1933) and have been included in the Law number 12.378/2010 which has created CAU5: Internationally, the exercise of the profession of the three areas corresponding to the design of space is granted to three professional categories: Architects, Town Planners and Landscape Architects. In Brazil, the regulation of the professions of Architect and Town Planner has existed since 1933, and since this first Legislation (Federal Decree number 23.569 issued on December 11th 1933) the exercise of Landscape Design is specified in its 30th article, item d, constituting, together with other activities concerning architecture and town planning, the frame of attributions of the Brazilian Architects and Town Planners. In this manner, the three categories (Architecture, Town Planning and

Laws, decrees and resolutions mentioned: Federal Decree number 23.569/1933, which regulates the exercise of the professions of engineer, architect and land surveyor. Law number 5194/1966. CONFEA Resolution Numbers 218/1973 and 1010/2005. Law number 12.378/2010, which creates the Council of Architecture and Town Planning in Brazil. Resolution number 21/2012 of CAU/BR, which issues dispositions on the activities and professional attributions of the architect and town planner and provides further.

Landscape Architecture) have been traditionally grouped for the Brazilian architects and town planners, and their attributions. ABAP, since 1976 is an affiliate member of IFLA International Federation of Landscape Architects and gathers professional architects and town planners that act in the field of Landscape Architecture. []Law number 12.378/2010, which has created CAU Architecture and Town Planning Council and which establishes the activities and attributions of architects and town planners, and in the item III of the 2nd article, specifies the activity of Landscape Architecture. In this manner the profession has existed for over seventy years, and has its own regulation, therefore, there is no justification for, in this moment, a proposal to be presented, which would only lead to disturbance in the compliance with the law in force. (ABAP, Manifesto against the 2043/2011 Bill, 2012) The same argument is on the letter written by CBA6 and in the CAU-SP manifesto7, exposing extracts concerning the laws mentioned. This argument openly contradicts the Memorandum of Understanding between IFLA and the International Union of Architects (UIA), signed up in 2006 and renovated in 20128, where the major institutions of Architecture and Landscape Architecture recognize the specific character of the fields of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the competences of theirs members. Besides that, the overly simplified fact of the previous existence of a legislation for the theme (based on the argument of an erroneous bill to regulate a profession that
6

[] the 2043/2011 Bill, which deals with this issue as if there was no superior profession ruled by the Brazilian federal laws for the Landscape Architecture, is juridically inappropriate. (CBA- Argumentation for the rejection of the 2043/2011 Bill, 2011).

[] since 1933 to this day, the graduation in Architecture and Town Planning has been the one to determine, in Brazil, the activity of Landscape Architecture Project. [] Hence, the Federal Law number 12.378/2010 has been approved in accordance to this background of regulation of the attributions of the profession. Consequently, what is on the recent CAU/BR Resolution number 21, approved in the plenary and published in the D.O.U., is the detailing of these professional attributions. As can be seen from this brief historical backdrop presented here, the professional attributions of the Architects and Town Planners had been given much before the effect of the media in making popular concepts nowadays widely spread about the sustainability of cities and the relevance of the green areas. In face of the aspects listed above, CAU/SP, in a very respectful but firm manner, finds itself obliged to recommend the withdrawal of the 2043/2011 Bill, for it contains several segments which clearly confront the federal laws in force, erroneously equalizing different graduations and of different characteristics, in the interdisciplinary actions in relation to environmental and aesthetical issues. (CAU/SP, CAU/SP Manifestation on the N2043/2011 Bill, 2012).
8

Agreement between The International Federation of Landscape Architects and The International Union of Architects. Paris, March 9th 2012.

has been predicted by the attributions of architects), the orientation assumed by ABAP and other institutions mentioned is unjustifiable, for a law is born precisely to alter and cover possible deficiencies of the law in force. Since this does not apply to the case, the problem would be treated as an acquired right, grounded on tradition, contrary to the duty of the institutions and of the laws to adapt to a better performance of their social role9. And this perspective has, interestingly enough, been defended by the Architecture and Town Planning Council (CAU) as the basis of the Law that has created it: [Law number 12.378] consecrates that, in the definition of private and shared areas of action, the primacy of the better service to social needs must prevail. It is not the corporative interests of this or that professional category that should come first, but on the contrary, the defense and protection of society must always prevail, thus avoiding that certain technical activities are unduly exercised by professionals that do not have enough academic formation to allow them to do so, which would expose the user of the service taken to any type of harm or risk to his safety or health, or to the environment. (CAU/BR, 2013) (highlights by the author).10 It is therefore necessary to retain from the passage from the ABAP manifesto that which in fact constitutes the center of this issue: the assumption that it is not necessary that the profession of landscape architect be constituted as an autonomous technical and scientific field in Brazil is defended. This point of view is openly contrary to the original ABAP bylaws and the motivations that have founded them. This manifesto, as can be seen, has served as a prelude to the alterations in the bylaws now proposed. In the manifesto, ABAP did not expose the reasons, advantages or particularities of the current Brazilian reality that could justify the contradiction between the attitude assumed in this document and its previous commitment to stimulate the formation in Landscape Architecture in Brazil. Even though ABAP recognizes the Brazilian case as an exception in the international panorama, it does not develop further considerations as to the relevance of keeping Landscape Architecture as part of Architecture in the Brazilian case. It thus did not make the reasons explicit that justify the non-alignment of the country with an orientation shared by many nations, such as the United States,

In the personal realm, it is the professionals right to be supervised to continue exercising activities to which they might have dedicated their own academic formation and work until then, and to seek in these activities their ways to make a living and tenure their personal interests. In this sense, more than assuring them the same acquired rights of the already graduated and university level professionals, as it is usually done in these cases, the law does not withdraw from the professional qualified in Architecture the prerogative of working as a landscape designer. (Artigos 3 e 4 do PL 2043/2011) CAU/BR. Clarification Note on the private attributions of architects and town planners. 27 July 2013. Available at: http://novo.cauam.org.br/?p=4387.
10

Canada, Mexico, Argentina, European Community, Turkey, Australia, Japan, China (just to mention those I could be certain of). Brazil should not align automatically to what takes place abroad, but it is necessary to make the reasons of the international practice explicit to reflect on the recognition or not of the need for a formation of landscape architects and the autonomy of this field of knowledge. In the ABAP manifesto, however, this problem was reduced to the issue of tradition. From what has been exposed above, this is not enough an argument, especially taking into consideration that the regulation of the profession of landscape architect is relatively recent in the whole world, and has been leading other countries to change their own old law codes on the issue. Another topic that has not been developed by the ABAP manifesto, but which represents a direct and fundamental result of the assumption that the creation of a Landscape Architecture graduation is not necessary in Brazil, is that, in such case, the University level formation of the architect must here contemplate the knowledge necessary to make this professional an actual and full title landscape arqchitect, possessing a knowledge comparable to that of the landscape architects formed in other countries. On the contrary, injure would be generated to the Brazilian society, which would not be able to count on an expertise of which ABAP itself has been supposed to be a defender and spokesperson since its creation. References to the effectiveness of the formation of the Brazilian architect and town planner have briefly occurred in the letter CBA has issued (signed up by the ABAPs president then, Architect Jonathas Magalhes), which recognizes the interdisciplinary aspect of the issue, but which also points to the relevant character of the knowledge that would be particular to the formation in Architecture and Town Planning to Landscape Design: We understand that the construction of a landscape in fact requires an interdisciplinary approach, however, the aspects of spatial conception and projects development require, in their turn, specific formation which has been long regulated by the national legislation for the architects and town planners. (CBA, Argumentation for the rejection of the 2043/2011 Bill, 2011). The manifestation published by CAU/SP in 2011, a document which has been praised as very relevant by the ABAP president then, Architect Jonathas Magalhes11, is, among all official declarations to which I have had access, the only one to seek to develop this argument which is central to the issue: to demonstrate that the formation in Architecture and Town Planning in Brazil is enough for this professional to be considered a landscape designer as well:
11

Jonathas Magalhes, Statement Manifestation CAU-SP. Available at: http://www.arquitetosasp.org.br/newsletter/86/destaque.html.

"[] knowing that the intrinsic study of plants/vegetation and their bothanical characteristics or health and developmental conditions undoubtedly need the contribution of specialists, it is also known that the PROJECT of treatment and creation of gardened spaces and sets, or those with buildings, waterproofed or not, in the urban scale or punctual, private or public, is a matter of clear attribution of architects and town planners, who are also responsible for the elaboration of plans and codes which present such demands, along our history. Besides that, the course on Architecture and Town Planning favors the Project activities during all the graduation formation, with thousands of hours of classes distributed in five years of course, in which Landscape Design integrates the curriculum in virtually all its Project subjects, in its many scales. It is very relevant to look at the discussion on the formation of the landscape architect in a more comprehensive way than to restrict it to the subjects specifically directed to Landscape Architecture in the course of Architecture and Town Planning. In fact, this graduation does have a body of knowledge which, apart from the specific subjects on Landscape Architecture, is fundamental to the formation of the landscape architect. But it is important to observe that the same thing happens in other graduations which foster knowledge that constitutes a fundamental part of the field of Landscape Architecture, but which is not enough for the formation of the Landscape Architect. In a different manner, the Brazilian Agronomists, whose curricular guidelines include areas akin, such as Gardens and Parks, Soil Manoeuver and Conservation, Environmental Manoeuver and Management, textually including landscape architecture, could also require the attributions of landscape architects, something which the institutions related to architecture have strived to forbid in the last decades. The argument of these declarations issued by ABAP, CAU/SP and CEAU (or CBA) is not, therefore, the obligatory formation in Architecture for a landscape architect, since the formation in Architecture is not compulsory for landscape architects in the rest of the world, remarkably in the countries that have a graduation specific for Landscape Architecture. Likewise, they do not argument that the graduations in Architecture and Town Planning in Brazil include the many areas involved in the multidisciplinary aspect of the necessary knowledge to the landscape architect, or even that the program of formation in Architecture possesses an exclusive right to the themes related to Landscape Architecture. What ABAP, CAU/SP and CEAU argument for, at the end of the day, is that the Landscape Architecture knowledge would be centered in the spatial conception and in the elaboration of projects, themes akin to the knowledge developed in the Architecture graduation if compared to other graduations available in Brazil. This statement could be valid in struggles between the categories of architects agronomists, forester, biologists, etc, as it has occurred in Brazil for a long time. But it is not enough against the creation

of the autonomous field of Landscape Architecture, for it is restricted in pointing out that Architecture has a field of knowledge akin to that of Landscape Architecture, or even a methodology for creation and projects which is shared by Landscape Architecture, but not necessarily that the graduation in Architecture includes this necessary knowledge to the formation of a landscape architect. With the exact objective of avoiding the arguments raised in the disputes between categories already established in Brazil (agronomists, architects, foresters, artists, biologists...), it is important to seek to know if the formation in Architecture and Town Planning is here equivalent to that of Landscape Architecture where it is offered, to be able to effectively evaluate if the creation of a new professional figure is justifiable or not. Some websites of associations connected to Landscape Architecture offer a service already catalogued of information on graduations in Landscape Architecture in many countries.12 Summing them up, it is possible to verify that these graduations programs are constituted of the following thematic axis: - Applied physical and biological sciences and Biology: subjects of Physical Geography, agronomic and silviculture techniques, Ecology, Bothany, gardening techniques; Cartography. - Fundaments: art and landscape and garden representation History; Human Geography; Landscape Theory; the relations between nature, environment, city and territory; legislation; - Landscape Design Project: theory and practice of landscape projects, methodology, graphic design, Computer aided design.
12

Among them I choose to mention: - Degree programs by state, da ASLA American Society of Landscape Architectures : http://www.asla.org/schools.aspx; - Study Programmes, da ECLAS European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools:

http://www.eclas.org/study-programmes-courses.php.
Some examples of formative programs are available at: - cole Nationale Suprieure de Paysage de Versailles FR : http://www.ecolepaysage.fr/media/ecole_fr/UPL1068117720698116492_prog_ped_juin_2012_EN.pdf; - Berkeley, Universidade da Califrnia, EUA: http://ced.berkeley.edu/downloads/forms/academic/ced_landscape-architecture-majorhandbook_2012-13.pdf; - University of Florence (UniFi), IT, available at: http://www.unifi.it/clmarp/upload/sub/PdS_B067-0810_coorte2010.pdf; - University of Buenos Aires (UBA), AR, available at: http://www.fadu.uba.ar/academica/mat_dp_index.html?; - Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAN), MEX, available at: http://www.arq.unam.mx/lic_paisaje/archivos/plan_paisaje.pdf

Against the perspective that reduces Landscape Architecture to the realm of gardening, it must be noticed that the focus of these courses is the relation between nature, landscape and landscape design, that is, the profound study of territory and landscape aiming to protect, restore or enrich and represent its beauty and its nature in gardens, cities and mainly in the territorial scale. The orientation given by these graduation courses matches the definition of a landscape architect approved by IFLA in the World Council 2003, in Banff, Canada, which serves as a standard for the profession for the International Labor Organization (ILO). It should be noted that the recommendation for a specific formation for the landscape architect is included in the definition of this professional profile: Landscape Architects conduct research and advise on planning, design and stewardship of the outdoor environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment, and its conservation and sustainability of development. For the profession of landscape architect, a degree in landscape architecture is required. (IFLA, 2003) (Highlights of the author)13 It is true that a fundamental part of this knowledge has been developed in Brazil almost exclusively in the Architecture and Town Planning Faculties, and much of what we currently have in this area is due to the work of architects and town planners, especially those associated to ABAP. Even recognizing the central aspect of this area to the Landscape Architecture, as well as the excellent work and efforts made inside the best schools of Architecture and Town Planning in Brazil, in order to offer a wide range

13

IFLA News N48, July 2003. P.8. Available at

http://www.landscape.cn/special/ifla/down/ifla_news048.pdf.
The definition also includes the specific tasks of the landscape designer which I do not include in its entirety here, but which meet the definition previewed in the graduations on landscape design mentioned, which includes: - developing new or improved theories and methods to promote environmental awareness, and undertaking planning, design, restoration, management and maintenance of cultural and/or historic landscapes, parks, sites and gardens; - planning, designing, management, maintenance and monitoring functional and aesthetic layouts of built environment in urban, suburban, and rural areas including private and public open spaces, parks, gardens, streetscapes, plazas, housing developments, burial grounds, memorials; tourist, commercial, industrial and educational complexes; sports grounds, zoos, botanic gardens, recreation areas and farms; - inspecting sites, analyzing factors such as climate, soil, flora, fauna, surface and subsurface water and drainage; and consulting with clients and making recommendations regarding methods of work and sequences of operations for projects r elated to the landscape and built environment; - conducting research, preparing scientific papers and technical reports, developing policy, teaching, and advising on aspects regarding landscape architecture such as the application of geographic information systems, remote sensing, law, landscape communication, interpretation and landscape ecology

of optional subjects14, which includes support activities of teaching and research at postgraduation level (of which I am a part of), it is undeniable that a large part of the knowledge demanded for the graduation in Landscape Architecture is not contemplated in the curriculum of the graduations in Architecture and Town Planning in Brazil. The lack of a specific course and a wider basis of discussion in respect to landscape and Landscape Architecture in most educational institutions in Brazil (be them Architecture, Agronomy, or any other), is reflected in the legislation and in the labor market in Brazil. It is not without a reason that the relevance of the issue of landscape and that of the work of the landscape architect are not adequately covered in the strategic territorial planning of our country, which is a lot more contrasting in our present world with the international practice, with the ever growing demand of society for life quality in the largest cities, and with the environmental and landscape problems of a huge country in fast transformation, and with the degradation of its natural and historical formations. Bearing this reality in mind, I believe that, for those who are interested in defending the importance of the field of Landscape Architecture in Brazil, it is imperative to recognize that the demand for the implantation of these graduations courses in the area is both fair and urgent. Such courses should work as centers of development of this subject and push the governing spheres and the universities themselves into a deepening of the research in this field of knowledge a prevailing subject nowadays. In face of the recognition of the Landscape Architecture as an autonomous area, the arguments fall apart that this process would represent a division of Architecture, thus weakening it as a field of knowledge and attacking the integrity of the professional of architecture, as exposed in the CBA letter: The forwarding of the 2.043/2011 Bill in the present historical moment, in which CAU Architecture and Town Planning Council initiates its formation, with the elections that occurred in 26 October is, therefore, inopportune. The national representations of Architects and Town Planners happen to be involved in the organization of their new council and we are attentive to several similar projects to that of the 2.043/2011 Bill, which arises with the intent to shred the professional attributions of the Architects and Town Planners. (CBA, Argumentation for the rejection of the 2043/2011 Bill, 2011). If Landscape Architecture constitutes a field of knowledge which exceeds the formation of architects and town planners, as well as it exceeds any other graduation in
Among them, I choose to mention University of So Paulo (USP), whose reality I am more familiar with. The subjects offered in the graduation are available at: http://www.fau.usp.br/cursos/graduacao/arq_urbanismo/disciplinas/index.html.
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Brazil, its recognition cannot be approached by the perspective of the categories already established, as if it was an attack to the integrity of each of them, or an attempt to shred their attributions, but it must be defended inside its own values, which are that of affirming and putting forward the importance of the Landscape knowledge. The commitment ABAP had in its origins, to fight for the formation in Landscape Architecture, coincides with that IFLA has been vehemently defending in all the world: the graduations in Landscape Architecture is essential for the developing of the landscape architecture. That is included, for example, in the letter Resolution in Support of CAU Brazilian Council of Architecture and Urban Design and Landscape Architecture Education in Brazil, which ABAP makes available in its own website15: Brazil to be one of the leading countries of this century, will greatly benefit on landscape architects effective capacity to publicly disseminate works concerned the realms of our professional practices or of academic reflection and research. This will be a task which will demand great work if we consider the difficulties due to the vast array of local projects that should be set; of the ever growing fragmentation, specialisation and overlapping of professional attributions and of the increasing economic pressures on professional practice. However, these are the stimuli to the Country to be in a world of such intense diversity, soaring challenges but growing knowledge and expertise to respond to them in new forms that Landscape Architecture could deliver. Most of this work should begin preparing the next generations for these challenges. In this sense, IFLA strongly recommends a joint political and academic effort in the creation and implementation of Graduate Programmes with a focus on Landscape Architecture, aiming at a specialized professional capacitation. (IFLA, 2009) (highlights made by the author) Lastly, it should be said that some institutions of higher education in Brazil have presented proposals to the Ministry of Education for the implantation of high education courses in Landscape Architecture. Such proposals have been filed for the fact that the current legislation does not cover this professional profile.16 These initiatives, all of which very recent, do not count with the support of ABAP, but in at least one occasion IFLA has issued an official document to support the creation of the course, in a letter which I attach at the end of this text. ***
15 16

Available at: http://www.abap.org.br/profissao.htm. Initiatives I know: Pontfica Universidade Catlica de Gois (PUC-Gois) , University of Curitiba (UNIC); University Veiga de Almeida (UVA), in a course coordinated by Architect Fernando Chacel, one of the founders of ABAP and a landscape designer that has left an enormous legacy in Brazil.

I must make it explicit that the ABAP condemnation of the 2043/2011 Bill is not exclusively limited to the creation or not of the formation in Landscape Architecture. The remaining arguments of the manifesto published are against the extension of the attributions of landscape architect to others originated from other formation programs other than that of Architecture, as included in the 3rd article of the 2043/2011 Bill: Art. 3 The exercise of the profession of landscape architect in the entire national territory is private to the owners of: I diploma in higher education in Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture, or landscape composition, issued by regular educational institutions; II diploma in higher education in Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture, issued by foreign institutions and revalidated in Brazil, according to the legislation; III diploma of post-graduation master degree, doctorate in Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture, issued by regular educational institutions, or by foreign institutions and revalidates in Brazil, according to the legislation, since the professional presents with it a diploma of high education course in one of the following areas: architecture, agronomy, forestry, biology our visual arts; a) To those coming from high education courses in the areas of architecture, agronomy, forestry, biology and visual arts, whose date of graduation is until five years after the approval of this law, the presentation of the post-graduation diploma will not be required; b) To those coming from high education courses in other areas which have not been mentioned in line topic (a) of this section, whose date of course conclusion is up to the date of approval of this law, it will be compulsory to present a specialization diploma in Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture issued by regular high education institutions or by foreign institutions, revalidated in Brazil according to the legislation. (2043/2011 Bill, Art. 3, original text by Dep. Ricardo Izar, 2011). In answer to that, ABAP has written: By the present 2043/2011 Bill, several and differing professional formations from different categories are being equated (Visual artists, biologists, agronomists, architects and others).

Besides that, this Bill considers the post-graduation titles as valid for the formation of professionals, which has never been considered by many professional councils in our country, since the professional attributions are traditionally, linked to the graduation courses. (ABAP, Manifesto against the 2043/2011 Bill, 2012). It is genuine that ABAP questions the rules by which the graduated professional will be able to engage into the professional practice of Landscape Architecture. However, it is noticeable that nowadays there are no professionals graduated in Landscape Architecture in Brazil17, and that the Bill demands that professionals graduated in other areas fulfill a lato-sensu post-graduation in Landscape Architecture (this right would be extended only to those already graduated or that would be graduated in five years from the publication of this law). It would be worth considering that the inclusion of one or more categories mentioned (agronomists, artists, etc.) in the group of landscape architects is not strange to the history of Landscape Architecture. These professions also share part of the basis of knowledge of Landscape Architecture and this is why agronomists used to form- and still form the body of various IFLA affiliates in the world, as it is the case, for example, of Argentina, where the Centro Argentino de Arquitectos Paisajistas (CAAP) has as its members agronomists, architects and landscape architects. As for the possibility of complementation of qualification in post-graduation programs, the formula presented by the Bill is not new, since it would be similar to the American model, in which the Bachelors Degree can be followed by a Graduate Degree, or the European model, in which the short graduation, of 3 years, may be followed by a first level Master, of another 2 years. In respect to this, at least until very little time ago, ABAP itself used to recognize associates (as landscape architects) who were member with post-graduation (Master) in Landscape Architecture and testified proficiency in Landscape Architecture. In any case, regardless of the positions about these last points of the law, it is not possible to explain the integral and uncompromising condemnation of the 2043/2011 Bill, taking into account the imperative need to create a course on Landscape Architecture in Brazil. ABAP could, in engaging in the debate, contribute to define if and which other categories should exercise the right to perform activities as landscape architects, in which case, suitable recommendation for additional qualification directed to graduated professionals in akin areas should be defined. In the way it has been occurring, in the processing in the Chamber of Deputies, the Bill has been receiving alterations without
There is one exception: the course on Landscape Composition, of Escola de Belas Artes at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, that has worked since 1976, resisting the pressure done by entities connected to Architecture that aim to deactivate it. The Author. August 30th 2013.
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the contribution of ABAP, which could, however, search to put forward the best interests of Landscape Architecture.18

***

For all that has been exposed above, I consider the contrary position of ABAP in relation to the creation of a graduation in Landscape Architecture in Brazil an absolute mistake, as can be seen from the critique in the Manifesto mentioned. To align in such an erroneous manner to the Architecture institutions represented by CEAU on such a question would be consistent of people who did not recognize that the formation of a landscape architect is essentially different from that of an architect but this should not be the case of the Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects. On the contrary, I believe this Association has the strategic role to contribute with the dialogue between Architecture and Landscape Architecture, defending the importance of a specific formation for landscape architects in Brazil in face of institutions that represent architects, such as CEAU, FNA, and CAU, so that this new formation is well supported by the faculties of Architecture and Town Planning and, eventually, becomes a dignified part of the future of CAU. In case this graduation is created in the unhappy case that it occurs against the will of the Brazilian institutions related to Architecture and of ABAP itself not only will these professional lack the protection of the new bylaws, that allows only architects and town planners as members, but also they will have to see the passing of many years before these categories architects and landscape architects recognize each other mutually. I consider, therefore, that ABAP is neglecting the interests of the landscape architects, and that this may lead to serious consequences in the future of Landscape Architecture in Brazil. This attitude, which is now consolidated in its Bylaws, effectively mean that ABAP is abandoning the representation of the Landscape Architects, - and IFLA in the fight for a specific formation and for the recognition of Landscape Architecture ABAP is restricted to defending only a type of Landscape Architecture that does not

After the publication of this letter, the National Association of Landscape Design, an entity connected to the writing of the 2043/2011 Bill and that has fought for its approval by the Brazilian Government, sent me documents which prove that ABAP had been invited on December 17th 2012 and January 11th 2011, to contribute with the original writing of the Bill in question. ABAP refused to take part in the elaboration of the PL 2043/2011 Bill on that occasion, as well as it has refused to contribute with any amendment during its processing in the Brazilian parliament. The documents are available to whom it might interest. The author, August 30th 2013.

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exceed the limits of Architects and Town Planners, abandoning the true objectives of its foundation. I hope this letter contributes with the strengthening of the internal process of discussions of ABAP on its own future and on which role it wants to play in the recognition of this profession in Brazil. Even expressing disagreement in relation to what has been shown in this letter, I believe it is important that ABAP speaks on the motivations in supporting the changes in its own bylaws, and on the position it has assumed in the debate on the 2043/2011 Bill, especially when the creation of graduation on Landscape Architecture in Brazil is concerned. Thus, it is an obligation before the society and its own history that ABAP exposes clearly firmly if and how the reasons of its affiliates and associates are still the defense of the interest of Landscape Architecture at the service of the Brazilian Society.

With all due respect,

Jlio Bara Pastore Agronomist by the Federal University of Gois (UFG) Master of Science in Landscape by the University of Florence (UniFi) Doctorate Students on Landscape FAUUSP ABAP Associate since 2009 jbpastore@gmail.com

Campinas, August 25th 2013

(Translate: Premanjty Devi)

The documents or extracts mentioned in this letter are available in the internet, according to the references given; they have been accessed between August 10th and 15th 2013. In case there is any difficulty finding them, I am available to offer the copies.
.

ABAP Response: Dear Associates In the last nine months, the review of the bylaws has been the object of diverse and profound discussions, [] [The new bylaws reflect] the attitude of those who have devoted their time to deepen the debate and to define the directions ABAP should take in face of the new challenges imposed to it, the minute in question has been structured in strict observance to the legislation in force and submitted to frequent revisions by legal assessors, aiming to attain its proper institutional feasibility. Thus, we claim that all are present in the General Extraordinary Meeting to take place on September 5th 2013, when this issue will be, once again, clarified, in order to be deliberated. ABAP regards. Architect, Town Planner, Landscape Architect. Letcia Peret Antunes Hardt Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects | ABAP President [August 26th 2013] (Highlights of ABAP)

IFLA
INT ERN AT ION AL F EDER AT ION OF L ANDSC APE ARCH ITECT S F E D E R AT I O N I N T E R N AT I O N AL E D E S AR C H I T E C T E S P AY S AG I S T E S

IFLA

PRESIDENT

Mexico City, October 18, 2010

Desi ree M AR TI NE Z

Pontifica Universidade Catlica de Gois:

Sombrerete 507 Col. Hip Condesa

We are very enthusiastic about your interest in initiating formal programs on Landscape Architecture. Herewith we want to express IFLAs firm support for your endeavor. The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) is a non-profit, non-political and non-governmental, democratic organization with more than 66 member organizations all around the world, within its members, the Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects (ABAP). IFLA has established the following objectives in its Constitution: To develop and promote the profession and discipline of landscape architecture, together with its related arts and sciences throughout the world. To establish the profession of landscape architecture in its continuing role as an instrument of aesthetic achievement and social change for the public welfare. To contribute in identifying and preserving the intricate balance of those ecological systems upon which the future of civilization depends. To establish high standards of professional practice in design and planning of the landscape, its management, conservation and development, and due responsibility for man-made change. To promote international exchange of knowledge, skills and experience in landscape architecture, both educational and professional.

By virtue of these objectives, one of our main tasks is to promote and foster the creation of educational programs focused on preparing professionals in Landscape Architecture. We offer you support and assessment through our World Level Education Committee, chaired by Prof. James Taylor, as well as through our Regional Education Committee, chaired by Prof. Gloria Aponte. IFLA is trying to promote together with the cultural direction of UNESCO, a World Landscape Convention. Additionally, ABAP, as well as other national organizations in Latin America, are working on a National Landscape Charter, in order to put landscape protection and values into the world and national agenda. We are certain, that the creation of Landscape Architecture programs is a crucial step in this direction. Hoping for great success in your endeavor and reaffirming our offer of support and collaboration, with kind regards!

Desiree Martnez President IFLA