May 9 2005
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Landscape Institute (LI) have signed a historic agreement providing a framework for collaboration between the two bodies. The formal signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the LI and the RIBA, by the Presidents of the two organisations, took place on Tuesday 19th April 2005 at 6.00pm.
The Memorandum of Agreement between the RIBA and LI will provide a formal framework for greater co-operation between the two bodies, with the aim of facilitating closer co-ordination on matters of mutual interest and shared provision of members' services. The Memorandum confirms and recognises the distinct nature and standing of the respective professions of architecture and landscape architecture, and the status of qualifications leading to full membership of the LI and the RIBA.
For the RIBA, the Memorandum will assist in forging closer links with landscape architects and will help to meet its charter objective: to 'advance architecture'. For the LI, the collaboration further strengthens the position of landscape architecture within the built environment.
The Institutes believe this collaboration will help with the task of creating an alliance of professional institutions in architecture, environment and design in order to better serve the professional needs of members, associated industries and thereby society - as envisaged by Sir Michael Latham in 1994, and furthered by Sir John Egan in 1998.
Speaking about the agreement, George Ferguson, RIBA President said:
"This is an important agreement signifying a greater coming together of our disciplines and Institutes for the benefit of clients, users and the general public. It chimes well with the current move to coordinate skills for the delivery of sustainable communities. There has been an artificial separation between our interdependent disciplines for too long. Both Institutes have much to learn from each other and I look forward to us coming closer together as professional bodies and as fellow professionals."