Apr 21 2005
Members of the New Mexico Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) will celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month by teaming up with WALK Albuquerque members to lead the public on walks through various downtown neighborhoods, focusing on the city's architecture and gardens.
These walks also offer a chance to share ideas about various elements of the built environment that enhance or impede walkability in the city:
Friday, April 29, 5:00 pm, Free Walking Tours led by New Mexico ASLA and WALK Albuquerque, Alvarado Transportation Center, 100 1st Street SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The walks are open to the general public and are free of charge. The first 50 registrants for the walks will receive a pedometer courtesy of the New Mexico ASLA chapter. Descriptions of the five different routes can be found on the New Mexico ASLA chapter Web site.
To register visit WALK Albuquerque (http://hsc.unm.edu/emermed/Cipre/Events.shtml). The theme for National Landscape Architecture Month is Design for Active Living, highlighting ways community design affects residents' daily activity levels and, in turn, their overall health. Studies show that access to resources such as parks, recreational facilities, bicycle paths, walking trails, and sidewalks can increase physical activity among residents, lowering obesity and improving health.
"Years ago, we all used to walk or bike to school, to the store, or to the park, but now my kids aren't able to do that, because nearly everything is oriented toward car travel," said Bob Oberdorfer, president of the New Mexico chapter of the ASLA. "As landscape architects, working with public officials, developers, and residents, we can design active living components back into our communities, and thereby give people an alternative to TV and video games. We want to encourage everyone to look at their neighborhoods during April and become advocates for an environment that is more exercise-friendly."
For more information on supporting or participating in the New Mexico ASLA Chapter walkability event, please contact chapter president Bob Oberdorfer at 505-243-7300 or [email protected]. Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects representing more than 15,000 members. Landscape architecture is a comprehensive discipline of land analysis, planning, design, management, preservation, and rehabilitation. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. Learn more about landscape architecture online at http://www.asla.org and http://host.asla.org/chapters/newmexico/index.cfm.