The International Federation of Landscape Architects Africa Region (IFLA Africa) and the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at elevating and uniting the landscape architecture
profession across the continent.
After several months of collaboration and discussion, CLARB president Joel Kurokawa and IFLA Africa president Graham A. Young signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize the partnership.
“Landscape architecture is not regulated
in Africa as in the United States and Canada, except in South Africa, where an act of parliament governs it. Most African national associations operate on a self-regulated basis. In this context, we look forward to our collaboration with CLARB,”
said Young. “We believe that CLARB will support us in enhancing professional recognition across the continent and assist in developing a unified framework for recognition and regulation in those countries lacking governmental acknowledgement.”
The agreement outlines the two groups’ efforts to work collaboratively on several common goals. Similar to the partnership formed with IFLA Americas Region in 2023, the two groups plan to work closely together to achieve their shared goals:
- CLARB will provide critical data and expertise through the Global Survey of Practice findings, country-specific reports and technical guidance on regulation and registration processes.
- IFLA Africa will distribute survey findings and promote consistent professional standards for landscape architecture registration and education across Africa.
- Both organizations will collaborate through joint workshops, research initiatives and information sessions to advance the development of landscape architecture standards.
In September 2023, CLARB was named IFLA’s first corporate member at
the IFLA World Congress event in Nairobi, Kenya. As a corporate member, CLARB shares and exchanges professional experience with colleagues throughout the five IFLA regions and contributes to IFLA’s efforts to advance the profession around the
world.
IFLA Africa is the second region to formalize an alliance with CLARB. In October 2023, IFLA Americas and CLARB announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the landscape architecture profession in the western hemisphere.
“Nature knows no borders, and we believe that landscape architecture should reflect this boundless spirit,” said CLARB president Joel Kurokawa. “We are honored to support IFLA’s efforts to advance regulation of landscape architecture and protect the public’s health, safety and well-being.”