Not from the President's Desk: From Vision to Statute: the LAAB journey toward professional recognition

Goabamang Lethugile

Vice Chairperson, Landscape Architecture Association of Botswana (LAAB),

The landscape architecture profession in Botswana is currently experiencing a defining historical moment. After years of operating within the "legal shadows" of the built environment, our discipline is finally stepping into the light of formal regulation through the Architects' Registration Council (ARC) Act 2024. For the Landscape Architecture Association of Botswana (LAAB), this is not just a regulatory update — it is the culmination of a collective journey fuelled by a vision for a more resilient and ecologically sound Botswana.

The journey: carving a distinct identity

For too long, landscape architecture was perceived as an "incidental" service  a secondary layer to be added once the "real work" of building was complete. Our journey toward this Act has been a persistent effort to challenge that narrative. We have worked to prove that our expertise is not merely aesthetic but a technical necessity.

The formation of LAAB was a strategic response to this lack of visibility. We recognised that as the lived realities of our urban spaces become more complex impacted by climate change and rapid urbanization Botswana requires specialists who understand the performance of the land, not just the structure of the building.

The hopes: what it means to be part of ARC

The inclusion of Landscape Architect and Landscape Architectural Technologist as distinct categories within the ARC framework brings a profound sense of hope to our members. This recognition means professional independence — moving away from being perennial sub-consultants to building architects, with a future where Landscape Architects can serve as Principal Agents on projects where the primary impact is on the site, the ecosystem, or the public realm.

It also means public protection. Registration ensures that only those with verified technical competency to manage hydrology, soil science, and environmental remediation are entrusted with these high-stakes responsibilities. And it means standardized quality — a clear Scope of Works Framework that benchmarks our services against international standards, providing clients with transparency and genuine value.

The challenges: navigating the boundaries

While we celebrate this progress, the road ahead involves complex negotiations. One primary task is ensuring that the Identification of Work (IDoW) does not dilute our expertise. A recurring challenge is the tendency of regulatory bodies to benchmark our profession against jurisdictions that do not yet recognize landscape architecture. We are standing firm, advocating for a framework that mirrors the rigour of international bodies such as CLARB and IFLA Africa.

A future-responsive profession

Our involvement with the ARC Task Team is about more than filling out consultation forms — it is about securing the future of our profession. We are advocating for fair remuneration, the removal of barriers to entry for young professionals, and a robust system for recognizing the competence of experienced practitioners.

As Botswana moves toward the finalization of these regulatory instruments, our hope is that the ARC Act 2024 will be remembered as the moment the country prioritized its landscape as a vital, professional asset. The horizon is green, and LAAB is proud to lead the way into this new era of professional independence and excellence.

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