Jenna Blackwood | Landscape architecture is not ‘just landscaping’

April was celebrated globally as World Landscape Architecture Month. However, the profession of landscape architecture is still largely misunderstood by most people, including other design professionals.

When most people hear the term landscape architecture, they immediately think of someone planting flowers, trimming hedges, or mowing a well-manicured lawn and perhaps a few ornamental trees lining a driveway.

In Jamaica, the word “landscaping” is commonly used when talking about beautification of outdoor spaces such as hotel grounds, or sprucing up a yard, or maintaining a business frontage. However, while landscaping plays a role, it only scratches the surface of what landscape architecture truly involves. In a small island developing state like Jamaica, where land is precious, climate change is a real threat, and community spaces are vital but lacking, understanding this profession has never been more important.

NOT JUST PRETTY SPACES

Traditional landscaping often focuses on aesthetics and beautifying outdoor spaces while landscape architecture involves the planning, design, and management of land at all scales — from small backards, to mid-size urban plazas and public parks, to entire regional ecosystems.

Where a landscaper might plant trees to make a yard look more appealing, a landscape architect considers which species will thrive with minimal irrigation, how their root systems will impact underground utilities, and how their placement might encourage natural cooling and reduce heat islands in cities. Landscape architects think long-term, often decades into the future, and they consider not only beauty, but also environmental performance and social utility. It is not just about looking good. It is about working well.

Unfortunately, the term “landscaping” often oversimplifies this complex and vital profession. While landscapers and groundskeepers play an essential role in maintaining outdoor spaces, landscape architects are the visionaries and problem-solvers who design them in the first place.

Using Emancipation Park in New Kingston as an example, while most Jamaicans appreciate its beauty and serenity, many don’t realise that it is a carefully designed public space that balances functionality with cultural expression and environmental performance. The design considers pedestrian movement and security, shade, biodiversity protection as well as symbolic elements tied to Jamaican heritage.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONALISM

Landscape architecture is a professional discipline, just like architecture or engineering, and requires formal education with training in design and construction, ecology, urban planning, cultural history, and more. Landscape architects are not trained to design habitable buildings and architects are not trained to design landscapes.

At present, there are no training programmes for landscape architects in the English-speaking Caribbean, and, therefore, local professionals usually study abroad, mostly in the US, Canada, the UK, or Europe. Only a few of the landscape architects return home and contribute their expertise to transform how we think about land and public space. As Jamaica continues to develop, there is an urgent need for more support, training, and recognition of this critical field.

Jamaica faces unique challenges such as hurricanes, coastal and hillside erosion, urban flooding, drought, and deforestation. Landscape architects are trained to work with these issues and not against them. The work of landscape architects can be applied to hillside communities, flood-prone areas, eco-tourism destinations, busy urban centres and heritage sites and has the potential to shape Jamaica’s future in meaningful ways.

In areas where flooding is a growing concern, landscape architects could be key players in redesigning urban infrastructure to incorporate green infrastructure to manage water more naturally. Rather than relying only on concrete drains, they might integrate softer solutions like vegetated swales, rain gardens, retention ponds, and tree-lined streets that soak up and slow down rainwater thereby reducing flood risks and reducing heat at the same time.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

Another critical role of landscape architects is preserving and enhancing our cultural identity. Whether designing a new community centre, revitalising a town square, or upgrading a coastal boardwalk, these professionals can incorporate local materials, native plants, and historical elements that reflect our heritage.

They work closely with communities, government agencies, and other professionals to create spaces that are not only functional and resilient, but also culturally meaningful. A well-designed public space can be a source of pride, a hub for economic activity, and a place where people connect across generations.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW

As the island faces rising temperatures, more intense hurricanes, and rapid urbanisation, Jamaica needs more than beautification — we need smart, sustainable, and inclusive design. We need professionals who can plan for the future, protect our natural resources, and create spaces where people feel safe, inspired, and connected.

Tourism, our largest economic driver, also benefits from good landscape architectural design. Visitors don’t just come for beaches — they come for the entire experience. Walkable towns, scenic views, eco-parks, and heritage sites all contribute to our global brand. Investing in this kind of design strengthens our identity and our economy.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of how destructive to the environment some of their practices are. The total clearing of building sites before construction, the use of exotic plants over native species, excessive paving and use of non-porous surfaces, and a preference to replant palms to replace trees are just some examples of the negative practices.

REIMAGINING OUR SPACES

Imagine a Jamaica where every community has access to a well-designed green space. Where schools have gardens that cool the air and feed the students. Where coastal developments include plants and sand dunes to protect against storm surges. Where every sidewalk is shaded and every neighbourhood is attractive and also feels welcoming and safe. Those are the potential benefits of including landscape architecture in our urban planning.

It’s time that we stop seeing this vital profession as “just landscaping” and start recognising it as nation-building!

Dr Jenna Blackwood is a practising landscape architect and environmental management professional and president of the regional association of Landscape Architects (APAC). Send feedback to jenna.blackwood@gmail.com.