Strategic Infrastructure: Storm Water, Transportation, Community Form

In the calendar year 2002, the Virginia Chapter will explore three subjects related to the issue of what we are calling ‘Strategic Infrastructure’. We have divided the issue into three avenues of exploration: storm water, transportation and community form. The Chapter will focus on each subject by publishing three mailings. The first publication will focus on the issue of storm water management, the second, transportation and the third, community form. We will continue the discussion begun with the publications by focusing our presentations and speakers at the annual meeting on these issues. In addition, each publication will be archived on the web page.

The intent of the annual theme is to use the thoughts, perceptions and experience of practitioners working in the State of Virginia as the core of our discussion. Your suggestions for the content and form of the publications are welcome as well as your thoughts on the focus of annual themes for the next few years. Please feel free to contact the executive committee with any suggestions you have. Making each yearly discussion reflect your interests and needs is our primary goal.

‘Annual theme’ structure: Virginia Chapter, ASLA

In order to support advancing the goals set forth in the Chapter Strategic Plan (1998), we have adopted an ‘annual theme’ structure. An annual theme will provide the primary focus of events, educational efforts and publications for that year. Potential annual themes might focus on the history of landscape architecture (2001), strategic infrastructure (2002), natural resources, issues of the environment, planning etc. The list is only limited by the scope of the discipline. Establishing an annual theme will accomplish the following:

1. Present each chapter year as a cohesive, thoughtful progression of opportunities to participate, learn and potentially involve a broader representation of the membership and community as a whole
2. Unify the focus of the events, educational efforts and publications
3. Integrate educational opportunities into a larger, shared whole
4. Allow for in-depth, all year exploration of individual issues
5. Provide a basis for making choices about programs, workshops and speakers
6. Allow for a broader conversation between the membership and community by providing specific venues of engagement.

By using an ‘annual theme’ to structure the year, we begin to provide opportunities for the Chapter to directly engage the goals Chapter Strategic Plan (1998) in the following ways:

1. Initiate and promote educational opportunities that advance the diverse needs of the profession and encourage growth in emerging areas of practice.
2. Demonstrate the value of the profession through public education and professional collaboration.
3. Enhance and expand market opportunities for members.

By using an ‘annual theme’ to structure the year, we begin provide the venue for developing the strategies set forward in the Chapter strategic plan in the following ways:

1. Use web site as a source for educational and professional resources.
2. Use chapter publication to highlight state landscape architecture achievements (new areas of practice) and topical editorial comment.
3. Offer biennial continuing education opportunities including symposiums, workshops and roundtables.
4. Create additional publication focusing on new and expanded areas of practice.